Denise Adele Gums

Birth date: Oct 26, 1953 Death date: Jul 22, 2020

Denise Adele Gums, 66, passed away on July 22, 2020, in Oakland, California. Arrangements have been entrusted to Chapel of the Chimes Oakland, 4499 Piedmont Ave, Oakland, California 94611. Service details and Obituary will be po Read Obituary

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Pierre Labossiere

269w ago

With profound sadness we express our deepest condolences to Denise's beloved family. May her family and the large extended family of her many friends be comforted by the memories of her great love of life, love of humanity and passion for a world of peace, justice and equality! Her light will shine bright forever!

We thank Denise for all that she has done for the people of Haiti. We will miss her joyful presence as she worshipped, sang, danced, ate, marched, was arrested for engaging in civil disobedience, cared for any of us in need and challenged us to do more for our immediate community and the world. We will always feel her loving, giving spirit inspiring us to do right.

Rest in peace dear Denise!

Maria, Pierre Labossiere and family

Ariannaalexandria

269w ago

in honor of Denise.

Denise, my angel, I think about you always. I cherish our conversations and I will always remember how you would greet me. " Hello my beautiful sister !" I hold you close within my heart and there you remain. Until we meet again, "My beautiful sister!" AriannaAlexandria.

A lit candle with a soft flame, surrounded by small white flowers and green leaves, set against a warm yellow background.

Anonymous

269w ago

Sent a Sweet Tranquility Basket to the Gums family.

A beautiful assortment of roses, daisies, and other flowers arranged in a woven basket.

Send flowers

Kathi Britton

269w ago

Denise was the brightest star in God's universe! She shared her spirit and voice with
many of us throughout the years; unique strong, kind and a powerful presence that walked in Grace! My thoughts and prayers are with her Beloved Family. She will remain in all our hearts!
Kathi Britton, St. Benedict Choir Member

Patrick Sullivan

270w ago

Denise was sui generis - one of a kind. Bombastic and opinionated,
she could sometimes be irritating, but this was outweighed by her
instinctive kindness and sincere empathy for the pain of others.
She often had to face personal adversity but was sustained by her
unapologetic pride in her race and religious faith. Denise provoked
people to think and was a constructive force for good.

Requiescat in pace.

PATRICK SULLIVAN

Shekinah Samaya-Thomas

270w ago

in honor of Denise.

A large, lit white candle with a subtle wax drip on a beige background, accompanied by a white and pink paper flower on the right side.

Shekinah Samaya-Thomas

270w ago

I am deeply saddened by the news of Denise's transition; a transition FAR to young! Denise was "life force" personified! Her vivacious, energetic, and dynamic presence was always accompanied by a smile that brightened my day and any one blessed enough to have an encounter with Denise! I would occasionally see her on my way to work and offer her a ride up to her school, and this turns out to have been my last encounter with her in early Spring 2020! As always, she was dynamic, happy, and full of joy, eager to get to her classroom just as I was on my way to mine!

I share 2 memories, one most favorite and the other most cherished.
Most favorite memories are of EVERY time I was blessed to share her presence during worship services at Our lady of Lourdes. I ALWAYS knew when she was "in the Lord's house" because I could hear her voice praying and praising Jesus throughout the service. Such a blessing, and her voice is LITERALLY missed!

But my most CHERISHED memory is from 2009 or 2010, when I was first dating my now-husband. We were by then "boyfriend/girlfriend" but LONG from the point of being "permanent"; one day I had attended a Saturday evening worship service while he was at work and Denise and I were chatting after worship ended. She asked me "where's your husband?" to which I replied that he was "at work, but he's NOT my husband yet". She just smiled that big, bright, broad smile she was known for and said "Oh, he WILL be, just wait"! From her lips to God's ears, as we were engaged in 2011 and married in 2013! It was her prescience that gave me hope in times of doubt!

I will miss seeing her on my way to work and in worship. While I know she's blissfully peaceful with her loving Jesus, she's gone too soon, and very much missed! My deepest condolences not only to her family but all who loved her! I do hope we'll have SOME form of final celebration as a community for the life of one so FULL of celebration of LIFE!

Godspeed, Denise! I'll see ya one day on the other side! <3

Jacquie Jackson

271w ago

Dear Gums family,
I first met Denise at a youth leadership meeting in 1980 when I was 17 years old. Two months later, she became my mentor and a supportive "big sister." As an avid defender of the oppress, she advocated for those seeking justice. She was truly a phenomenal woman with grace and beauty. Thanks for sharing her with me over the years . My sincere condolence, Jacqueline Jackson

Mary Marsella

271w ago

Denise, your presence always gave me light and love. You opened my heart and mind. I'm struggling with the fact that you have left us so young. I will not stop seeking your presence whenever I am even near Our Lady of Lourdes or any place where we have convened together in solidarity. May your goodness and kindness and humor and deep convictions of Justice and the goodness of humanity live on in our hearts and in our actions. My heart aches.

Jenafir House

271w ago

I am heartbroken to hear the news of Denise's passing...though I know her beloved presence will remain at all the churches she attended and at all the social justice gatherings she made more vibrant, passionate and alive. I have distinct memories of sitting next to her in church at St. Columba (especially during the African American celebration series!) and just reveling at how she made everything more fun and alive - singing, dancing at her seat, calling out in response to something particularly meaningful said in the scriptures or homily...or just moved by the music. Her vibrancy, her authenticity and her strong spirit and social justice heart will be deeply missed. As will her amazing African clothes, her vibrant earrings and her always beautiful hair...lighting up our church whenever she entered. You are with us still, Denise, we will do all we can to continue your memory, your energy and passion for racial and economic justice and your love of African traditions and people...and your love for the people of Oakland.

Shekinah Samaya-Thomas

270w ago

Godspeed, Denise! I'll see ya one day on the other side! <3

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