Grace Goodwyn

Grace Irene Bass Goodwyn CHARLOTTE - Grace Irene Bass Goodwyn passed away Feb. 16, 2014, at Southminster Retirement Community surrounded by her family. She was born June 30, 1929, to Edward Carson Bass and Maggie Azile Bass in Clinton. Irene graduated from Fayetteville High School in 1947 and from The Women's College of the University of North Carolina in 1951 where she received a B.S. degree and was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma. Upon graduation, she taught at Worth Business College in Fayetteville for three and a half years before meeting the love of her life, Col. Arthur Fountain Goodwyn of Pope Air Force Base. They were married on Dec. 29, 1954. As Arthur pursued his career with the Air Force, it took them to many locales where they made their home both in the United States and overseas, most notably Tripoli, Libya where Arthur was Squadron Commander at Wheelus Air Force base and she was Chief of Cost Accounting. He retired from the Air Force after 20 years and they settled in Tarboro, a few miles from "Cedar Lane", Arthur's family home in Leggett. Their keen interest in flight led to Irene taking flying lessons herself where she earned her private pilot's license. Irene taught occupational education in Edgecombe County Schools for over 20 years, and was a member of the National Education Association, North Carolina Association of Educators and the American Vocational Association. After retirement, she and Art spent time at their homes in Duck, and enjoyed traveling around the world, with their favorite destinations being Australia, China and Western Canada. Irene was a member of Howard Memorial Church and for many years enjoyed delivering Meals on Wheels. She was also a charter member of The Pilot Club of Tarboro. Irene was business savvy and followed the stock market with great enthusiasm. For many years she was active in Money Bags, her women's financial investment club in Tarboro. Irene made many friends through their adventures around the world and kept in touch with them, but she especially treasured her friendships in Tarboro, her home of 40 years. She and Art enjoyed entertaining and were famous for saying "It's 5 o'clock somewhere!" Irene loved to make and share their homemade Stollen bread, a family tradition, every Christmas. Upon her husband's death in 2012, Irene moved to Charlotte to be closer to her family and grandchildren. Irene and Art had three sons: Arthur Fountain Goodwyn II, Carson Leggett Goodwyn and William Fountain Goodwyn. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband of 57 years Arthur Fountain Goodwyn, their eldest son Arthur Goodwyn II; brother Charles Emanuel Bass; sister Joyce Frances Bass Luther; niece Jennifer MacRae, brother-in-law George MacRae; brother in-law George A Goodwyn; and sister-in-law Emily Temple Bass. She is survived by son Carson of Myrtle Beach, S.C., son William (Bill), daughter-in-law Leigh (Jenkins) and two grandchildren, Carson Leigh Goodwyn and Gray Fountain Goodwyn of Charlotte; sister Julia Gertrude Bass Engelund and Gloria Bass MacRae of Virginia Beach; brothers Samuel Edward Bass of Asheboro; Richard Nelson Bass of Virginia Beach; brother-in-law William Leggett Goodwyn, Jr., of Rocky Mount; and a numerous nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank The Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Philadelphia, Southminster Retirement Community and Hospice of Charlotte for their excellent care. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Howard Memorial Presbyterian Church, 303 East St. James St., Tarboro, NC, 27886; The Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Philadelphia, PA; or The American Cancer Society. Carlisle Funeral Home in Tarboro will handle funeral arrangements. A memorial service will be held on Friday, Feb. 21, 2014, at 1PM at Howard Memorial Presbyterian Church, Tarboro. Burial will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a future date. Online condolences may be registered to the family by visiting www.carlislefuneralhome.com.