Mother Guss

Mother Irene Guss was born on May 27, 1928, in Denver, Colorado to her parents, Robert Stevenson and Leatha Harris Stevenson. She was the third child born in the family. She was raised surrounded by her sister, Virgie and her brothers, Robert and Lonnie. She received her formal education in Denver where she attended Whittier Elementary, Cole Junior High, and she graduated from Manual High School. She furthered her education by attending Metro State College in Denver. In 1942, Mother Guss met John Guss while attending a social gathering at the USO in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Soon thereafter, they were united in holy matrimony. To this union, seven children were born, 3 boys, John, Malcolm, Mark and 4 daughters, Leatha, Jacqueline, Delories, and Terryll. Mother Guss was lo1ving and devoted wife and mother. The family shared many happy and precious moments together. On April 17, 1965, John preceded her death. She now became mother and father for her children. She was a mother who nurtured her children in a strong Christian environment. She believed in the power of prayer and taught each of them to have the right relationship with the Lord. She was a mother who didn't mind discipline. She believed in what the Bible says about the rod. "He that spareth the rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes." She stood true to the word of God when raising her children. She did so with love in her heart and a belt in her hand." She was later blessed with twenty grandchildren who all were an additional source of joy and pride in her life. She often told others, "If she knew grandchildren were so much fun; she would have had them first." She cherished the special moments shared and she made them feel that each one was her favorite. She also had sixty three great grandchildren and thirty three great-great grandchildren whom she equally adored and cherished. By profession, Mother Guss was employed by the Pinehurst Country Club for a number of years. She also worked for the United States Postal Service. She was respected and remembered for being hard- working, dedicated and working well with others. She retired after many years of faithful service. A woman of faith and belief in the Lord, Mother Guss accepted the Lord as her personal savior at a very early age. She joined Central Baptist Church under the pastoral leadership of the late Reverend W. O. Mays. She later joined Mt. Carmel Missionary Baptist Church under the pastoral leadership of the late Reverend D. M. Survine, Jr.; there she sang in the choir, served as a Trustee and worked as a spiritual advisor for the Young Women's Department and the Junior Mission. After much prayer and guidance by the Holy Spirit, Mother Guss became a member of Friendship Baptist Church of Christ Jesus under the spiritual guidance of Pastor Paul and Evangelist Dallas Burleson. She served her church and the Lord as a member of the Deaconess Board and a member of the Mother's Board. She served faithfully until her health began to decline. Mother Guss was an encouragement to the members of every church she served. She lead by example. She was equally happy feeding the homeless or having fellowship with her church members or with her family. She was a woman of God, who always looked for the good in any situation or in a person. She often shared her stories of growing up in Denver, being married and a mother who stood steadfast and unmovable in all she said and did. In her free time, she enjoyed watching television, conversing with family and friends, reading and studying the Bible. When the song writer penned the words to this familiar song; "if I can help somebody as I travel along; then my living shall not be in vain", it certainly epitomizes the life of Mother Irene Guss. To God Be The Glory for the Things He has done. She is preceded in death by her husband, John Guss; a son, John Guss, Jr.; her parents, Robert and Leatha Stevenson; her brothers, Robert Stevenson and Lonnie Stevenson; along with many other relatives. Mother Irene Guss stepped out of time and entered into Eternity at 2:00pm on Friday, November 20, 2015, still holding onto the hand of the Lord, Jesus Christ. Those left to cherish her memory and mourn her loss include two sons, Pastor Malcolm (Monica) Guss of Aurora and Mark E. Guss of Denver; four daughters, Minister Leatha M. (James) Young of Denver, Minister Jacqueline (Wendell) Wilborn of Henderson, NV, Minister Delories J. Guss of LA, CA and Terryll L. (Leon) Washington of Aurora; her beloved sister, Virgie L. Ivory of Denver; 20 grandchildren; 63 great grandchildren; 33 great-great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins other relatives and many friends.

Funeral Home: Pipkin Braswell Funerals and Cremation - 2050 Uinta Street, Denver, Colorado
Visitation: 11/27/2015 at 4:00 PM - Pipkin Braswell Chapel of Peace - 6601 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO
Service: 11/28/2015 at 12:00 PM - Friendship Baptist Church of Christ Jesus - 880 Fairfax Street, Denver, CO
Cemetery: 11/30/2015 at 10:15:00 AM - Fort Logan National Cemetery - 4400 W. Kenyon Ave., Denver, CO