Emma Gathings Mrs. Goodwin

Lilesville - Mrs. Emma Gathings Goodwin, 89, passed away peacefully at her home while surrounded by her family on Wednesday, June 3, 2015. Funeral services will be 3:00PM Friday at Leavitt Funeral Home with Rev. Kaye Fry officiating. Interment will follow in Lilesville Cemetery. The family will greet friends at the funeral home before the funeral beginning at 2:00PM. Emma was born in Anson County on February 1, 1926, a daughter of the late Cora Lee Hinson and Roy Benjamin Gathings. She was happily married for 67 years to Elmer Goodwin who passed away in 2010. Emma was a homemaker and a knowledgeable historian who had a keen interest in Anson County history and in genealogy. She authored and published several books over her lifetime. Emma was a longtime member of Olivet United Methodist Church. She also cared for several elderly local residents over the years. Survivors include: 4 children, R.A. Goodwin of Biloxi, MS, Emily Carpenter of Polkton, Lonnie Goodwin (Ellen) of Wadesboro, and Cora Coile (Ross) of Kannapolis; 10 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and 4 great-great-grandchildren. Also surviving are her sisters and brothers, Sarah Jones of Lilesville, Helen Miller of Greenville, NC, Mary Dinkins and Merle Gathings both of Winston-Salem, and Barney Gathings of Lilesville. Memorials might be made to Olivet United Methodist Church, c/o Martha Goodwin, 3788 Stanback Ferry Rd., Lilesville, NC 28091.