Denise Regina Cephus was born on January 7, 1950 to the late Rosalie Cephus and the late William Miller in Easton, Maryland. Denise transitioned to be with her Savior on Monday, September 17, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. Denise was born and raised in Easton, Maryland where she was greatly known as Moppy, as well as Lefty.
Denise was education in Talbot County and attended Moton High until the school systems integrated to Easton High School. She was a respected and loved member of the graduating class of 1968. After high school, Denise attended Morgan State University majoring in Art.
There she found great roommates that became best of friends. Debbie, Sandy and Denise were known as the “Three Amigos,” where you saw one you always saw the others. After college, Denise moved to Washington DC and beginning her career as a federal grant proposal writer for companies to include Macro, Inc, Lockheed Martin and General Dynamics.
Denise retired at the age of 62. Denise loved the Lord and accepted Christ at a very early age. Attending and serving at Union Baptist Church as a member of the Ushers Ministry and the Choir until she relocated.
Along with her cousins, Candy, Betty Anne, and Sharon, Denise was apart of Union Baptist’s first youth choir, the Chancell Choir. Denise also created a Mural of Praise for Union Baptist Church, as well as wrote the song The Joy that Jesus Promised Me for the Voices of Revely Choir, and Bishop Freddy Washington, Sr. arranged music for it. She loved Gospel music and preaching; especially John P. Kee, Paul Morton and Kirk Franklin.
Denise was gifted with many talents. She was an avid reader and an articulate writer. Denise loved to cut and style her cousins’ hair for fun and treasured making crafts, scrapbooking, and creating photo albums.
She loved to travel and was over excited when the United States was blessed to have it’s first African American Family in the White House. She made sure she made every Democratic Convention, and traveled to many different states to support Barack and Michelle Obama. Denise adored her family and was a loving caregiver for her mother Rosie, and her son Jason, that she was extremely proud of.
She was the Family Reunion Coordinator making sure she put together a committee to ensure a great time with respect of the past, present and the future generations. She handcrafted the programs, slideshows, bookmarks, placemats for each reunion. Denise loved playing board games and there had to be a big family game of bingo when she came around.
Not to mention the bingo prizes, that she purchased, individually wrapped, and piled in her car to distribute to everyone. Denise also organized a family calendar with everyone’s birthday, and made sure to send a gift for the all the new additions to the family. Jason definitely was the apple of her eye, however there sure were times when he had to share the spotlight when it came to her godchildren.
Jevon was her other son that she assisted over the years in making sure he didn’t want for anything; especially Christmas time. However, then came Jedaya and Jordayn every three to four months they would arrive home with a gigantic box or two (and a four piece table and chair set) on the doorstep. There was no need to look at the labels, because everyone knew it was from Aunt Moppy.
In addition to her grandparents and parents, she was preceded in death by her Sister Marilyn “Faith” Brown, Aunts Vivian Stanford and Patricia Cephus. Denise leaves to cherish her precious memories her son: Jason Boyd, Atlanta, GA, Stepmother: Jean Miller, Easton, MD, Stepsister: Carol Camper, Baltimore, MD, Uncles: William Cephus, Vanderbilt “Buster” Miller both of Easton, MD, James (Bessie) Miller, Baltimore, MD, Aunts: Jeannette Miller, Easton, MD and Beulah Phillips, Morristown, NJ, Godchildren: Jevon, Jedaya and Jordayn Jenkins, Easton, MD, Special Cousins that were more like siblings-Anna (Donald) Sampson, Bowie, MD, Sharon (Rodney) Jenkins-Truxon, Easton, MD, Desmond (Teresa) Sampson, Odenton, MD, Donald (Tish) Sampson, Jr., Indian Head, MD, Nieces: Mywa (Marcus) Henderson, Dougleka Brown of Columbus, GA, Great Niece: Makayla Henderson, Columbus, GA, Great Nephews: Mehki Henderson and Tyquis Brown, Columbus, GA. A host of other cousins and friends who always had contact with her.
Denise will truly and deeply be missed!
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