Blossom Lorraine Gholston

"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith." II Timothy 4:7 Blossom Lorraine Van Lowe Gholston was born March 24, 1913 to J. Milton Van Lowe and Leila Goodwyn Van Lowe in San Francisco CA. In 1933, she graduated with a BA degree from San Diego State University. She was a co-founder of the Woodsonians, a group named after black historian Carter G. Woodson which served as a safe haven for black students to socialize and discuss issues of the day. She later would become a charter member and president of the local chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. More significant, she achieved the long-cherished goal of educated blacks: that of being hired as a regular school teacher at a San Diego City public school. This was accomplished on July 21, 1942, after earning a Masters degree at Columbia University. Because of the agitation of local black activists, she began teaching at Memorial Junior High where she had earlier been a pupil. Her achievement as the city's first black teacher has to be seen in the context of a region stubbornly resistant to social change. By the early 1940s San Diego City Schools were facing an influx of students because of the war industries and military located here. In 1941 alone, 7, 000 new students entered schools in San Diego, an 18.9 percent increase over the previous year. At the same time, some teachers had been called away to military service. This teacher shortage, coupled with the persistent effort of Mrs. Craft and the Women's Civic League, forced the board of education and Will C. Crawford, superintendent, to review school hiring practices. On July 21, 1942, Lorraine Van Lowe was hired on probationary status as an English and social studies teacher at Memorial Junior High. There was little publicity when she began working, primarily to avoid angering parents. The staff and principal, William J. Oakes, accepted Van Lowe without much difficulty, and many of her fellow teachers remembered her as a student there and at Franklin Elementary School. She attributed her smooth adjustment to Oakes' support. He shielded her from the few parents who voiced opposition to her being hired. But her greatest praise was reserved for Rebecca Craft: "I shall never forget Mrs. Rebecca Craft who has meant so much in my life, and I shall always be grateful to the valiant ladies of the Women's Civic League for their persistent and effective efforts." On Feb. 20, 1954 she married Phillip H. Gholston in San Diego CA. She continued to teach in the San Diego district until retiring in 1971. She then moved to Denver CO with her husband, who had accepted the call to pastor Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church. She continued to labor beside her husband in the church while tutoring children in the Denver Public School District and serving as a substitute teacher. She truly had the heart of a servant, caring for her mother during her declining years, caring for her mother in law after surgery on her back left her a paraplegic, caring for her daughter, her granddaughter, her great grandchildren and caring for her husband after complications during surgery in 2000. What do you say about someone who shows by example what Jesus means when He says we must die to self? Someone who is strong in the Lord. Someone who is loving and caring toward others. Someone who keeps going when most people would throw in the towel. What can you say about someone who is a perfect lady, a gentle spirit and who demonstrates total trust in God? What can you say about someone who give so totally of self? Someone who has a positive impact on everyone they meet. Someone who looks for the good in everyone. You say, thank you, Lord for allowing that loving, gentle, humble person to be a part of your life. You draw strength and encouragement from the memories. You strive to impact lives as positively as that person did for you. We thank God for Blossom Lorraine Van Lowe Gholston who taught us by example, who loved us in spite of us, who was patient as she corrected us and who made us and still makes us smile and rejoice at the goodness of God. She will forever live in our memories until we see her again in the kingdom. She passed from labor to reward on March 28, 2015 having celebrated her 102nd birthday. She was preceded in death by her husband, P.H. Gholston and her sister, Sarah Cleora Fluckus. She leaves to cherish her memory her daughter April E. Gholston; her granddaughter Maiya N. Gholston; six great grandchildren:Maijahna , Maijahni, Maijah Lee, LaReyah Lee Evans, DaShawn Gholston and Mahjong Maichai Johnson; nephew Benjamin M. Fluckus (Colette); two grandnieces Vanessa F. Mlamba (Andrew) and Erica Fluckus; first cousin, Frances Jefferson; a host of other relatives and countless friends. She will be deeply missed. She also leaves to cherish her memory, Kent Hoffarth and Kierre Thomas, who lovingly provided care for both she and Pastor Gholston for the last eight years. They brought them to church every Sunday and also took them on trips to San Diego to visit friends and family there. Funeral Home: Caldwell-Kirk Mortuary 2101 Marion Street Denver, CO US 80205