Mary Magalene Goss entered her heavenly home on Saturday, August 4, 2012 at her residence surrounded by her family. Funeral services will be at 3pm Today, August 5, 2012 at Crestwood Chapel. Burial will be in Crestwood Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1 until 3pm before the service. Dr. Scott Hassell and Rev. Ray Tucker will officiate. Pallbearers will be John Pugh, Daniel Pugh, Terry Henderson, Joe Whorton, Charles Gardner, and Livingston Overton. Honorary pallbearers will be Richard Brooks, Eddie Entrekin, Dilbert Runyan, and Joe Rollings.
"Her children rise up and call her blessed" Proverbs 31: 28.
Mary Magalene Malone Goss was born in 1915 in Blount County, Alabama near Snead's Cross Roads named for her mother's family, John Baker Snead. She graduated from Ramsey High School and went on to Jacksonville Normal School (Currently Jacksonville State University) where she graduated in 1934.
Mary as her friends called her, or Magalene as her family knew her, taught children in grades 1-6 during her career in Blount County, Etowah County, and Gadsden City Schools. Eventually Mary started her own private first grade school where she finished her career teaching first graders. Mary was passionate about teaching and loved to teach children to read.
Mary was also very active in her community. She was a charter member of Walnut Park Methodist Church, a past member of The Gadsden Women's Club, the first president of the Coosa Valley Chapter of the AARP, and an avid worker in the Republican Party. She enjoyed the outdoors immensely. Mary kept a beautiful yard well into her nineties and received honorable mention in the Gadsden Beautification Awards Program.
Mary leaves behind her son, Dr. Grady Mack Goss (Billie) of Scottsboro, and a daughters, Sarah Goss Pugh (Frank) of Gadsden; grandchildren include Karen Goss Henderson (Terry) of Gardendale, John Pugh (Celeste) of Hokes Bluff, and Daniel Pugh (Rachel) of Gadsden. Great grandchildren are Molly, Haley and Christian Henderson, David Pugh and Samuel Pollock. Mary also leaves behind a special sister, Nina Will (Billie) Belmont of Birmingham and a beloved sister in law Cleo Goss and niece Dianne Henderson of Oxford, Al. Mary was preceded in death by her husband Grady B. Goss, daughter, Glenda, and special friend Nila Abney.
Mary has been surrounded by amazing caregivers who have shown God's love and mercy to her during these past months. Julie Barron, Barbara Myers, Kim Whorton, Tammy Wolfe, Jane Edwards, and Shay Knight have been like angels sent by God here on earth providing competent and appropriate care while tending to Mary's every need. The family would also like to thank Gentiva Hospice, and their dedicated staff, especially Christie Luker, Kim Glass, Mindy Fernandez, Dr. Courtney Lowe (Deb), and pharmacist Rick Bearden of Rick's Pharmacy in Attalla, and Stanley Hamby.
Mary's long and fruitful life has been and incredible journey of faith. "Eyes have not seen nor ears, have not heard the house I have prepared for you". She awaits her heavenly home where there will be treasures in the darkness and hidden wealth in seceret places." Isaiah 44
In lieu of flowers the family request donations be made to the Walnut Park Community Church c/o Treasurer Betty Brooks 3610 Western Ave. Gadsden, AL 35904, designated for Children's Ministry.