It is with deep sorrow, heavy hearts, and an unfathomable sense of loss that we announce the passing of Annette T. Oats, beloved daughter, sister, aunt, friend, colleague, and cherished member of the Denver, Colorado community. Annette departed from this world on April 14, 2025, at the age of 36. She passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, who held her hands, whispered words of love, and honored her strength as she took her final breath.
Though her time with us was far too short, the impact Annette had on the world around her is immeasurable. She lived a life of grace, compassion, and purpose — and those who were blessed to know her carry memories that shimmer like the first morning light after a long winter night.
Born on a bright spring morning in Denver, Colorado, Annette grew up surrounded by the beauty of the Rocky Mountains and the warmth of a close-knit family who nurtured her naturally kind and curious spirit. From the beginning, she radiated a sense of serenity that made people feel at home in her presence.
Her parents, Thomas and Lucille Oats, often recalled that even as a child, Annette possessed a calm strength beyond her years. She was the kind of little girl who would pause to help a classmate pick up their books or offer her lunch to someone who had forgotten theirs. Her elementary school teachers at Green Valley Elementary still speak of her thoughtful nature and love of learning. Her joy came from the simple things: reading quietly under a tree, watching the birds, or spending time with her siblings, Michael and Sabrina.
Growing up in Denver’s Park Hill neighborhood, Annette was a beacon of hope and harmony. Her presence alone had a calming effect. Whether riding her bike through the tree-lined streets or volunteering with her church youth group, she left gentle imprints wherever she went.
Annette’s path through life was never defined by flash or spectacle. Instead, it was characterized by her enduring quiet fire — a deep, steady determination to grow, give, and lead with humility.
She attended East High School, where she excelled academically and found joy in literature, history, and community service. After graduating with honors, she pursued higher education at the University of Colorado Denver, where she majored in Social Work, driven by a profound desire to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.
Upon graduation, Annette dedicated herself to community outreach and advocacy. Her career took root in the nonprofit sector, where she worked tirelessly to support underserved populations across Denver. She later accepted a position as a Case Coordinator with the Denver Family Resource Center, where she spent more than a decade working one-on-one with families facing poverty, addiction, homelessness, and systemic injustices.
Colleagues described her as a “heart-led professional,” someone who went above and beyond to support not only her clients but also her team. She never sought recognition — and yet, she earned the respect and admiration of everyone around her. Her office was often a refuge for those who needed to talk, cry, or laugh. Annette listened with the kind of attention that made others feel truly seen.
To her family, Annette was not just a loved one — she was the center, the unwavering force that held everyone together. She was the bridge between generations, the keeper of traditions, and the heartbeat of family gatherings.
Her parents, Thomas and Lucille, found strength and solace in her presence, especially in the later years of their lives. Annette was their rock, their joy, and their caregiver when illness struck. She cooked for them, accompanied them to appointments, and never once let her responsibilities shake her ever-present warmth and grace.
Her siblings, Michael and Sabrina, describe Annette as their “guiding star.” She was the one who remembered birthdays, who texted good morning messages, who knew just when someone needed a call or a comforting word. When Michael went through a difficult divorce, Annette was by his side, helping with his kids and ensuring love never left their home. When Sabrina pursued a career in law enforcement, it was Annette who cheered the loudest at her graduation from the academy.
To her nieces and nephews — Jayden, Aaliyah, Marcus, and little Zoe — Auntie Annette was a superhero, storyteller, and safe haven. She made up bedtime stories, brought snacks to every game, and never failed to show up. She taught them to value kindness, to love learning, and to always help those in need.
Annette’s friendships were deep, enduring, and authentic. She did not collect people, she cultivated bonds. To be Annette’s friend was to be valued, supported, and celebrated.
From her childhood best friend Danielle, to her coworkers at the Family Resource Center, to her church family at New Light Baptist Church, Annette was universally loved. She remembered the little things — the first date, the job interview, the tough anniversary — and reached out with sincerity. Her friends recall her signature tea with honey and lavender, the comfort food she’d bring over during hard times, and the journal entries she kept — pages filled with thoughts, quotes, and prayers for those she loved.
She had an ability to lift others without diminishing herself. She listened more than she spoke, gave more than she took, and loved with a heart as vast as the Colorado sky.
Annette’s faith was the compass by which she navigated her life. A devoted member of New Light Baptist Church, she attended services faithfully, volunteered in outreach programs, and served as a youth mentor and Sunday School teacher.
She never preached — she lived her faith. In acts of service, in resilience through suffering, and in the way she loved her neighbor, Annette embodied grace. She believed deeply in the power of prayer, the importance of kindness, and the promise of redemption.
Her pastor, Reverend Elijah Sanders, spoke of her at a recent vigil, saying: “Annette didn’t talk about walking in the light — she walked in it every day. In her, we saw what it truly means to serve.”
Annette’s battle with illness — a private, courageous fight against a rare autoimmune condition — revealed the depths of her inner strength. She faced each day with dignity, choosing hope even when pain overwhelmed her.
Very few knew the full extent of her struggle, because Annette never wanted to be the cause of worry. She carried others even as her own steps grew heavy. Her final months were filled with quiet moments, intentional love, and the sacred presence of those closest to her.
Even in the hospital, she thanked every nurse, smiled at every visitor, and whispered words of comfort to those who came to comfort her. When she passed, it was as she lived — with peace, humility, and boundless love.
Though the world has lost Annette’s physical presence, her legacy burns ever bright. It lives in every child she mentored, every life she helped rebuild, every soul she touched through small acts of compassion.
Her family will remember her in Sunday dinners, in the scent of her favorite rose lotion, in the hymns she used to hum in the kitchen. Her friends will feel her presence in shared laughter, in handwritten notes saved in drawers, and in the moments they choose kindness over convenience. Her colleagues will remember the power of showing up with a heart open and a mind ready to serve.
Annette’s story teaches us that we don’t need to shout to be heard, to post to matter, or to shine to leave a mark. Sometimes, the greatest souls are those who move quietly through the world, lifting others and leaving behind a gentler, better place.
As we grieve, let us also celebrate. Let us honor Annette T. Oats not just with flowers and tears, but by living as she did — with integrity, compassion, and an unwavering belief in the goodness of others.
We encourage all who knew her to speak her name often, to share stories of her joy, to perform acts of kindness in her honor. Volunteer. Call someone lonely. Forgive. Love deeply. These are the ways we keep Annette’s spirit alive.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at New Light Baptist Church, 2437 W. 28th Avenue, Denver, CO, at 11:00 a.m. The service will be open to the public, with a private burial to follow at Fairmount Cemetery, where Annette will rest beside her grandparents.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Denver Family Resource Center, the organization Annette served for so many years.
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