Phyllis Noreen Goins

Fletcher - Phyllis Noreen Goins passed away at her residence in Fletcher, NC on November 10, 2024.

A native of Knoxville, TN, she graduated from Young High School, received her diploma in Nursing from the University of Tennessee MRCH (1st in graduating class), her BSN from the University of Pennsylvania: AFIT distinguished graduate, her MSN in Community Health with minor Family Nurse Practitioner University of Arizona, and her doctorate in Administration of Higher Education from Auburn University.

Phyllis was a retired USAF Colonel. She had a variety of assignments in the Air Force ranging from OR Nurse, Flight Nurse Examiner, Supervisor Out Patient Clinics, Operating Room Supervisor in a combat zone, Family Nurse Practitioner, Educational Coordinator, and culminating as Chief of Educational Methodology USAF School of Aerospace Medicine.

Colonel Goins' special assignments included Captain of the Medical Suitability Team which resulted in selection and deployment of the Aeromedical Airlift Aircraft; the C-9 Nightingale.

During her Air Force career, Colonel Goins was awarded the Bronze Star, the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal with 1 OLC, the Air Force Commendation Medal with 2 OLC, the Outstanding Unit Citation with 2 OLC, the National Defense Medal, and various Vietnam Service Medals. In addition to these medals, she was selected Aerospace Medical Associations Flight Nurse of the Year and was listed in Outstanding Young Women of America, The World's Who's Who of Women, Jane's Who's Who in Aviation and Aerospace, and Who's Who in American Nursing.

Upon retirement from the Air Force, Dr. Goins continued in the academic environment. She subsequently retired from the University of Texas System with the rank of Professor.

Colonel Goins is preceded in death by her parents George H. and Marion Goins. She is survived by her beloved family: brother George Howard Goins and wife Juanita of Fletcher, NC. Niece Anita Goins of Hendersonville, NC. Niece Phyllis G. Winham and husband Chris, of Charleston, SC.

At her request, there will be no service and she will be inurned at the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery. Groce Funeral Home's Lake Julian team is assisting the family and a guest register is available online at grocefuneralhome.com.