Mrs. Joyce Mae Gooch, age 70, of Killen, passed away Sunday, Dec. 29, 2013.
The visitation will be today beginning at 11 a.m. at Elkins East Chapel Funeral Home. The service to celebrate her life will follow in the funeral home chapel at 1 p.m. with the Rev. Greg Reynolds officiating and special music by Caleb Box. Following the services, Joyce will be laid to rest at Canaan Cemetery.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Lonnie C. Gooch; and her sister, Brenda Boger; and brothers, Wayne Cundiff, and Tommy Cundiff.
Joyce was a dedicated mother and grandmother who loved her children with all she had and was the center of their life. Joyce committed her life to taking care of her family’s needs and making each of them feel special. When not working in the home, Joyce worked at Wal-Mart and retired from there after 22 years of service. She was a member of New Vision Church and didn’t miss a night of praise and worship with Jimmy Swaggart on the television. Joyce was also known by her family for her love of music. Anytime a favorite song of hers was played, her feet couldn’t stay still by resisting the urge to grab someone to get up and dance, even right in the middle of the living room. Her six children adored her and even though she was the subject of many of their jokes, she laughed right along with a kind and gentle spirit. She was a cherished lady and will be missed by many people.
Joyce is survived by her children, Monica Brown (Chris), of Hartselle, Amy Gray (Jerry), of Center Star, Joy Gooch James (Rob), of Rogersville, twins Leann Gooch Ford (Whitney), of Florence, and Perry Gooch, of Killen, and Lonnie C. “Beau” Gooch Jr. (Tosha), of Wayland Springs, Tenn.; grandchildren, Christy Simpson (Corey), Josh Brown (Katie), Caleb Gautney (Megan), Nicholas Gautney, JuliAnne James, Allie Gray, Collin Gooch, Colin Gray, Matt Ford, Whitt Gooch, Lucy Mae Ford, and Ansley Gooch; four great-grandchildren; a brother, Thomas Needham (Carolyn), of Concord, N.C.; neices, Angie Woody and Lisa Auten; nephew, John Paul Boger; and many other nieces and nephews; and a dear sweet friend, Nancy Romine, of Lexington.
Pallbearers will be John Paul Boger, Joshua Brown, Caleb Gautney, Corey Simpson, Nicholas Gautney, and Charlie Auten.
The family sincerely appreciates the kindness, patience, and care shown by Eliza Coffee Memorial staff to their mother, Joyce, while in the hospital. A special thanks to Dr. Jason Wilkes, Dr. Mitch Bowen, and ICU nurses Matt, Patsy, Beth, and Stacey.
“Sometimes you never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory.”
