Denise Hood

September 1, 1956 - April 26, 2022

On April 26, 2022, Denise planned a celebration of her mother’s birthday with her family. She spent her last day doing what she enjoyed most, spending time with family and friends and celebrating her loved ones. Denise’s journey through life began in Marietta, Georgia, on September 1, 1956. From childhood, she was outgoing and loved engaging with people. When the family moved to Denver, Colorado, during her early teens, Denise quickly made friends. Her chosen profession as a caregiver was a true calling. Any caregiver can be kind and helpful; however, Denise had a passion for giving her clients the best care with respect and understanding. Her positive attitude, her non-judgemental acceptance, her openness, her compassion, her heartfelt honesty, and her courage to be vulnerable made an impact on those for whom she so passionately cared. Denise’s path took many twists and turns, ups and downs. Much like the mother in the Langston Hughes poem “Mother to Son,” life for Denise “ain’t been no crystal stair.” Yes, Denise was a climber. No matter the obstacles, she kept on climbing, reaching landings, turning corners, and sometimes going in the dark where there ain’t been no light. In her later years, Denise stepped into the light of a new beginning, rising to her calling as a family caregiver. She was an extraordinary mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. Another word for a caregiver is a shepherd. Denise was a shepherd to the younger generations, showing them that she was still climbing. She spent her last moments being who she was, a caregiver, a guardian, a protector, a shepherd. Her life ended on the same day as her grandson Donne Sharvez Allen, Jr., and her great- grandson Me’Khi Sharvez Allen-Parham. Denise is preceded in death by her daughter Jamila Allen, grandson Donne Sharvez Allen, Jr., great-grandsons Malachi Vernon Allen-Parham and Me’Khi Sharvez Allen-Parham, and her parents, Bernice (Scudders) Carmichael and Howard Edward Hood, Sr., Left to celebrate her memory are (sons) Donne’ Sharvez Allen, Sr. and Karon (Xaviera) Taylor, Sr., (siblings) Howard “Edward” Hood, Jr. and Suzette Robinson, (grandchildren) Ameyah Cherae Allen, Aquasia Lavette Allen-Parham, Naziah Chalon Allen, Amoire Cook, Khalil Ashley, Karon Taylor, Jr., X’Zvavion Taylor, Kamyah Taylor, Nahsyr Cook, and a host of friends and family that will miss a life whose life kept shining ever brighter, a beacon of love to friends and family.