Some gone are still closest (7)
I believe the answer is:
nearest
'closest' is the definition.
('near' can be similar in meaning to 'close')
'some gone are still' is the wordplay.
'some' indicates a hidden word (some of the parts of the word are used).
'NEAREST' is hidden within 'gone are still'.
(Other definitions for nearest that I've seen before include "most like Scrooge at first" , "Next" , "Most imminent - most mean" , "In greatest propinquity" , "Stingiest" .)