Dear Vicki and Family, I was so sad to hear of Steve’s passing. He was a true servant of God and he was used in such an amazing way leading worship to our Heavenly Father Sunday after Sunday. I count it an honor to have been under his leadership when Mike and I were in the choir. He led with joy and excellence in everything he did and always had such a sweet sincere smile on his face. It was always a joy going to choir practice learning such amazing worship songs that we got to sing back to our Lord and King. I know he is making s joyful noise right now before Gods throne in worship and adoration of Him. Our prayers are with you as you navigate these painful days without him, for now. What a glorious hope we have in knowing you will see him again. We send our love, Mike and Karla Underwood

Dear Vickie, Joy, Dawn and Family,
I was saddened to hear of Steve's passing but also am rejoicing that he is now personally praising his Lord and Savior. 
I have sung in several choirs through the years, however the highlight of my choir experiences was worshipping the Lord under the direction of Steve. I am grateful for the many memories.... Wednesday night rehearsals; Sunday morning worship; special music and narrations; Christmas and Easter musical presentations. Steve was the consummate Minister of Music. 
What I appreciate the most was Steve's musical focus. He reminded us often  that our singing was not a "show" but instead was meant to be true worship directed toward our Lord. He was consistent in his selection of music, always insuring that the focus was on the lyrics and that the lyrics were truly Biblical. I will always remember his face as he directed. He "felt" the music and his directing was an expression of his love for and worship of his Savior.
Even though we have been living in Colorado for the past 6 years and are active in our church, it does not compare. Steve was truly "one of a kind" and his music was an extension of his own spirit. He has been 
and will be sincerely missed here on earth.
 I can only imagine the Lord's greeting upon his arrival... "Well done, thou good and faithful servant" and how the Lord has incorporated him in the music of heaven.
Vickie and family,
Thank you for sharing Steve with us over the years. We were truly blessed!
Gratefully in Christian love !
Ron Muffley

i remember when Steve said hi to everyone i am sure going to miss his lovely face his was a nice man kathrynclardy

Dave and I were so saddened to hear of Steve's passing but know that his voice has joined the choirs of Heaven. I always so looked forward to a hug from Steve each Sunday as he came down the center aisle at Calvary. I look forward to a special hug from him again when I go home. Dave and I send our prayers, love and "hugs" to you Vickie and all of your family. God's Blessings, Pat and Dave

ALL OF YOU ARE SO PRECIOUS!  What an amazing legacy Steve has left behind in each of you.  I was blessed to sing and worship with you all today as you beautifully celebrated his life.  Thank you for sharing him with all of us for so many years.  He was such a gift to my life and I never took for granted the confidence he had in me.  I am thankful for the blessing of singing under his leadership and care and will never forget watching him worship as himself as he led the rest of us to the throne of God!  I look forward to singing in the heavenly choir with him one day soon, but until then, I will rejoice in the life that he lived and the parts of himself that still live on in each of you.  Praying and trusting the Lord for your comfort and care as you grieve. I love you all, Jacqui Mosteller

To Vickie, Joy and Dawn.  
 
When Steve was born I was 13 years old.  So I had the privilege of seeing this very cute baby grow up and mature except for the 30 months spent in the army in Germany.  I wrote my mother almost every other day and my first question was usually how is Steve doing?  Of course when I returned home I was glad to see my parents but my little brother who had grown from being 10 years old to 12 years was number one on my list. He recently told me that he remembers when I let him drive my 1955 Chevy around the Boone county high school, he enjoyed that.  When Jan and I got married in 1960 he was in our wedding.  As I look back now I cannot remember anything that Steve did that was mischievous , rude, naughty what have you.  Was he perfect?  I think so but the scriptures say otherwise.  We know for sure he is now.  My simple disappointment in life has been what little time I got to spend physically with Steve and Vickie, Joy and Dean, Dawn and Brad and all their beautiful children.  It is wonderful to know that what Christ has done for us we have an eternity in Heaven!!!  Hallelujah.  Steve, I love you and I will see you soon.        Your brother Bill.

    

What a privilege to have served for many years with a man who loved the Lord deeply, who was dedicated to his family and who was a dear friend.  Everything that Steve did was done with excellence, "as unto the Lord."  The Kentucky gentleman, prim and proper, was a man of consistent character and deep faith.  
For years Steve prepared and shared Christmas and Easter musicals with his church and the public.  They were all high, genuine experiences of worship.  Each year at the conclusion of the musicals, we would survey the comments written on the response cards.  For a number of years, there was always one anonymous comment that was penned.  It read, "Mighty Fine."  When I consider Steve's life and ministry, that's a fitting ephitaph--MIGHTY FINE.


Vickie, Dawn, Joy and all…
I am thankful for the many years I had serving with Steve at Carmel - we shared 17 years on the team together. Steve was a man of integrity and one who encouraged others to live and love well. 
Vickie: though you have lost your soul mate of 50+ years, you know of his heart for our God and his hope of singing in the choirs of heaven. May that offer you comfort in the midst of deep sadness. 
Dawn and Joy - what a love he had for his girls. Remember that as you grieve and yet rejoice. 
May the God of comfort hold all of you in those arms of love and gentleness in these days, weeks and months ahead. 

Dear Vickie, Dawn, Joy and the family,
What a life well lived and the beautiful legacy Steve left for you and many of us who had a privilege to be under his faithful ministry at Carmel for many years. His gentle spirit, faithfulness, his beautiful voice, and his example as a devoted husband and father… those are a few of many memories I cherish.
Even though we have a blessed hope of reunion, the tears will be inevitable because your deep love for him and missing his presence.
Jae and I are sending our condolence and love for you and your family.
Love,
Jae and Sean Lee

Oh dearest Vickie, Dawn, Joy, and the rest of the family,

I learned of Steve going home to be with Jesus yesterday morning. While I know it was the most joyous occasion possible for him, I also know that you (and so many others too, including myself) will be sorely missing him here. 

What a wonderful man Steve was! I loved every minute I was blessed to work with him in the music ministry at Carmel. Even though I’ve lived halfway across the country for 22 years now,  I still remember and cherish our Carmel days. Vickie, I have SO many great memories of doing music there with you and Steve.

Steve was absolutely one-of-a-kind!  He was the best boss I’ve ever had.  Aside from being a good boss, I also considered him a good friend.       My children remember “Mr. Steve” as a really kind man. They still remember him sharing his jar of lemon drops!

Steve was always such a wonderfully organized person.  Everyone in his orbit was aware of that fact! I remember he always made lists and reminders on a notecard to take home at the end of his workday.  Most of the items were things he wanted to remember to tell you, Vickie! 

Steve was so talented and smart, so warm and caring, so funny and kind, with such an easy smile and laugh to share with everyone he met. 

Vickie, even though I haven’t been able to see you and Steve nearly as much as I would’ve liked in recent years, your family has still always held such a special place in my heart.  I will really miss knowing Steve is in this world;  it will never be quite the same place without him here.  God bless you all as you begin to live a different life without Steve’s daily presence in it. But you know where he is, and where you’ll meet up with him again in the blink of an eye! Until then, he’ll probably be busy singing in a heavenly choir … or maybe even directing one! :)
Please know that I’m praying for your family now and in the days to come..

Much, much love to you all,
Leslie Weakland (and Mike, too)

Lots of good memories working with Steve on drama productions, planning AV system for new church and other AV projects.  I'll miss ya Steve!

Dear Vickie and family,
Our hearts are broken for you. Steve was such an amazing man, one who served and loved with humility, integrity, and a passion for Jesus. We are lifting you up in prayer. 
Love,
Ron and Elizabeth Johnson 

To the McKibben Family, my heart is heavy for you. I loved growing up at Carmel with Steve and you all and cherish those memories. Please know that I am keeping you all in my prayers.

I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Steve. I loved being in his youth choir at First Baptist Church in Tarboro. He made music fun for all of us. And my mother, Jean Hill loved singing in his adult choir. She is singing in Heaven now! May God’s peace and comfort get you through this difficult time. We will all be together one day again!   


My heart is very heavy, but I know that god is still faithful.  I met Steve and Vickie whenever I joined carmel in 1988 Steve was an amazing music director and Vickie played very well on the organ or piano.  My god bless the family during this time of sorrow.  

The thing I loved most about Steve was his laugh.  He made me laugh just listening to him laugh. 
I also recall the incredible mercy shown by Steve to myself, Miley Parrish, and Stan Shadle while Miley and Stan cracked jokes quietly right behind me and I literally shook with laughter during choir practice week after 
week back in the 1990s.   You were a fabulous choir director, Steve.  Everyone loved you.  Thanks for not expelling us from choir! 🥰😊

It was a blessing to know Steve and Vickie and to sing in the choir and ensemble at Carmel Baptist from 1988 - 2002.  Some of our fondest memories are of the extraordinary Easter and Christmas musicals they led.  Well done, good and faithful servant.  We will see you again soon!

Rich and Tina Roten

With sadness, we heard of Steve’s passing. We had such regard for him. He was such and upstanding man and we appreciated him so much. All of you have been in our prayers this week. Much love, Roy and Linda

Steve was an outstanding music master.
I sang in his choir for many years and learned a lot from him.
He will be missed.

Vickie, Dawn, and Joy,
Our prayers and memories are for and with all of you. 
“Dwell on the good times.”

I was so sorry to hear of Steve’s passing! I don’t know where to begin because there are so many memories that flood my mind as I try to share.  I remember when Steve called me to invite me to be a part of the Carmel Baptist Church choir in 1999!  My husband, Willie, and I had just moved to Charlotte for Willie to attend seminary at RTS.  We left a Baptist church in TN with a choir director who knew Steve and called him to let him know of our upcoming move.  I was so surprised and thankful when Steve called and what a joy it was to be a part of the choir for over 10 years and the wonderful choir reunions after Steve’s retirement.   I have never been a part of worship choir with such loving and caring leaders as Vickie and Steve who genuinely were ushering us into His presence and equipping us to lead others to His throne of grace through music.  I will always treasure the rehearsals, the Christmas, Easter and Praise musicals and time spent with fellow believers.  We will greatly miss you, Steve, here on earth,  but will look forward to joining you in that Heavenly choir one day! 

We are so sorry to hear about Steve's passing. He loved His Lord and Savior and touched so many lives through leading others  into the presence of Jesus. I am praying for His comfort, peace and strength as you grieve. Our hearts grieve with you. I know he will be so missed. 

We much love and prayers.

OBITUARY

Stephen Gail McKibben

August 19, 1945 – May 22, 2023

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