Ronald Gums

Ronald Gene Gums was born on September 13, 1952 to Joyce (Bowers)and Elridge Gums, in Beaumont, Texas.
At an early age, Ronald accepted Christ and was baptized at Mount Gilead Missionary Baptist Church. He attended Hebert High School, which was not integrated until 1982, and was the first black school to win a UIL state title. As a teen, he took pride in winning very competitive basketball games against the rival high school. After graduating in 1971, Ronald enrolled at Huston-Tillotson University, where he became a proud Ram. In the Fall of 1973, he joined the Theta Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated.
Ronald met Toni Larry, on the campus of Huston-Tillotson University, in 1973. That meeting set a lifelong partnership in motion, and they became one on January 28, 1977. They would often engage in playful banter about why her sorority had so many founders and his had so few. Their union produced a daughter, Roshonda, whom he adored to no end.
Upon graduation, he taught physical education and later served as a mental health counselor. He spent several years as a United States Postal worker; this was, by far, his favorite role. He could tell you any and everyone's zip code and how long it would take for their mail to arrive. He went on to serve the State of Texas, at the Office of the Comptroller, until his retirement.
Ronald was preceded in death by his beloved wife and sidekick, Toni Gums, his parents (Elridge and Joyce Gums) and his mother-in-love (Doris Perkins). Remaining, to cherish his memory are: daughter, Roshonda Gums (Shawn Henderson); brother, Elridge Gums, Jr., sisters, Brenda Bell, Nellie Grace and Nettie Martin, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and a multitude of friends, extended family members and fraternity brothers.