Gladys Goforth

Gladys (Happy) Goforth, 83, of 2100 Hemlock Hill, Bluefield, W.Va., died Monday, October 6, 2008, in a Bluefield nursing home. Gladys was the daughter of the late Charlie and Nannie White Hawks and was born August 21, 1924, in Ashland, W.Va. She was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church and a member of the Friendship Club and the United Methodist Women and past member of the Christian Women Organization. Gladys was very active in the community and of many organizations. Mrs Goforth had worked for Bluefield News Agency as a clerk for many years. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, James E. Goforth; four brothers, Charlie Hawks Jr., Harold, Robert and Fred Hawks; two sisters, Ethel Bosworth and Gertie Dye. Surviving Gladys are three children, daughter, Beverly Barnett. of Bluefield, W.Va., and two sons, J.C. "Buck" Goforth and wife, Elizabeth, of Roanoke, Virginia and H.C. "Buzz" Goforth, of Charlottesville, Va.; sisters, Clara Alice Akers, of Orlando, Fla., Brenda Ajamian, of Independence, Ky., Rita Spence, of Flatwoods, Ky., and Linda Burnette, of Bluefield, Va.; brothers, Roy Hawks, of Goldsboro, N.C., Howard Hawks, of Akron, Ohio, Jessie Hawks. of Bluefield, W.Va.; seven grandchildren, Melany Barnett, Tisha Reed, Kristy Muddiman, James C. Goforth II, Heather Goforth, John Goforth, Katy Goforth; three great-grandchildren, Loren Keene, Tyler Muddiman, Hunter Muddiman. Funeral service for Mrs. Goforth will be Wednesday, October 8, 2008, at 11 a.m. from the Mercer Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Dan Wenn and Dr. Don Scott officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday, October 7, 2008, from 6 to 8 p.m. Serving the family as pallbearers will be Jamie Goforth, John Goforth, Larry Lambert, Russ Shatley, Donald Shrewsberry, Steve Remines and Ron Spence. Honorary Pallbearers will be Judge Derek Swope and Dave Shields. The family requests that memorial donations, if desired, be made to American Cancer Society, 1808 Jefferson Street, Bluefield, W.Va. 24701, . Alzheimers Association, 1111 Lee Street, Charleston, W.Va. 25301, or Trinity United Methodist Church, 401 College Ave., Bluefield, W.Va. 24701. Those wishing to share memories or condolence messages with the family may do so by visiting www.MercerFuneralHome.com. Mercer Funeral Home & Crematory of Bluefield is serving the family of Gladys Goforth.