Mary Goins

Mary Elizabeth Goins, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend, peacefully passed away at the remarkable age of 104 on Sunday, March 9, 2025. She left this world as gracefully as she lived.

Born on February 12, 1921, in New Market, TN, Mary was the daughter of George Franklin Staffney, Sr. and Lillian Hender-

son Staffney. She is preceded in death by her parents, sisters Julia Roper and Dorothy Louise Staffney; niece Carol Elaine Roper Sullivan; uncle William Henderson; and grandson Julian Goins.

She and Thomas Lace Goins were married for 64 glorious years. Their union was blessed with two children Brenda Joy and Thomas Dennis, three grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren, all of whom were a constant source of joy and pride.

Mary’s early years were spent in New Market, where she grew up with her siblings, developing a love for sports, especially basketball. She played as a guard for her high school team at Nelson Merry High School in Jefferson City, TN, and also sang in the school choir. This love for sports remained throughout her life, and she enjoyed keeping up with the details of baseball, basketball, and football games.

After graduation in 1940, Mary moved to Knoxville, where she worked at Miller’s Department Store and later retired from Sears, Roebuck and Company

in 1980. Her attention to detail and warm, friendly nature made her a standout in customer ser-vice. Even in retirement, Mary continued to connect with others as an Avon representative. She always had a heart for helping others and found joy in simple, everyday moments.

A woman of deep faith, Mary was a dedicated member of Clinton Chapel AME Zion Church for 83 years, making her the church’s oldest living member. Throughout her years there, she served in many capacities, including Director of Christian Education, Sunday School teacher, President of the Helen Spurgeon Circle Missionary Society, Stewardess, and Life Member of the Woman's Home and Overseas Missionary Society. Her spiritual nourishment came from her unwavering devotion to studying the Bible, attending church services, and following the principles of Matthew 7:12 and James 1:5-6.

Mary was a woman of many talents. She enjoyed crocheting beautiful afghans, doilies, and other handcrafted pieces. Her love for cooking was well known, especially her delicious "made-from-scratch" homemade cakes, pies, and banana pudding, which became family favorites. Holidays were special times for Mary who enjoyed serving meals on fine china, crystal, and silver, creating memorable moments with love ones.

Mary’s love for gardening, which she inherited from her father, remained a lifelong passion. She tended to flowerbeds and vegetable gardens with great care, and she fondly recalled her father allowing her to plant zinnias in her own special corner of the garden. Even in her later years, she took great joy in the beauty of flowers, with her garden still lovingly cared for by a family friend.

Many referred to her as Lizbeth, Beth, Mama, Granny, Mom Goins, or Mrs. Goins, but for Mary, family was the true heart-beat of her life. She loved traveling, to Hawaii, Nassau, Michigan, and Connecticut, especially to family reunions and visiting her grandchildren in California, Nashville, and Atlanta.

She was an avid fan of game shows, particularly enjoying "The Price is Right," "Wheel of Fortune," "Family Feud," and "Jeopardy." She always set aside time to play Bingo or Po-Ke-No after meals. Before she became legally blind, she was

a Charter Member of the Saturday Night Cotillion Bridge Club. Additionally, she served on the Delta Patroness Board, which supported the legacy of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She significantly contributed to the health and well-being of the Knoxville community by raising funds for various service projects, such as the Heart Fund, and she worked during early voting for all state, local, and national elections.

Mary’s enduring legacy is her kindness, grace, and love for those around her. She will be remembered not only for her wisdom and faith but also for her boundless love and the joy she brought to every moment.

She leaves to cherish her memory, daughter Brenda Goins Harrison and son Thomas Dennis Goins; three grand-children Alfred Love Harrison, Jr., Rachel (Asela) Atulugama, and Laurel (Henry) Leung; four great-grandchildren Aah'Shawn Harrison, Julienna and Myliah Atulugama, and Emery Mei Leung; two nephews Elvin "Buff" Roper and George Staffney III; daughter-in-law Robyn Goins; close friend Frances Payton; Goddaughter Dr. Sandra Mitchell-Woods; and special family and friends.

The family expresses heartfelt thanks to the Lyonsview Health and Rehabilitation Center staff as well as the team of doctors, nurses, and other health professional at UT Medical Center and UT Hospice Services who treat-ed our love one with special care and compassion.

Family will receive friends, Saturday March 29, 2025 from 11:30 to 12:30 at Clinton Chapel AME Zion Church, 546 College St, Knoxville, TN 37921, with funeral services to follow. Rev. Dr. John A. Butler officiating. Interment at Berry Highland South Memorial Park, 9010 E Simpson Rd, Knoxville, TN 37920. Final arrangements entrusted to Jarnigan & Son Mortuary. www.jarniganandson.com