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Caroline Winter Cobey Goodwin

1931 - 2022

Caroline Winter Cobey Goodwin obituary, 1931-2022, Charlotte, NC

BORN

1931

DIED

2022

FUNERAL HOME

Robertson Funeral & Cremation Service - Charlotte

10310-300 Feldfarm Lane

Charlotte, North Carolina

Caroline Goodwin Obituary

Goodwin, Caroline Winter Cobey

March 31, 1931 - March 6, 2022

Caroline Winter Cobey Goodwin died March 6, 2022, at Southminster Retirement Community in Charlotte, NC.

She was born March 31, 1931 in Albany, GA, the fourth and last child of Matilda Gray Cobey and the Reverend Harry Speake Cobey. She remembers British pilots learning to fly during World War II at a base near her home, seeing snow for the first time atop a train from the north and family trips to Daytona Beach. At age twelve in 1943 she wrote a letter to British Prime Minister Winston Churchill praising and thanking him. He wrote her back.

Caroline attended St. Mary's High School and College in Raleigh. She was introduced to her future husband, Robert Flournoy Goodwin, Jr. at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Winston-Salem when he was assigned to entertain the visiting minister's teenage children. Bob did such a good job, a few years later in 1951, at 20, she married him. Bob enlisted in the Army days later to avoid the draft. Caroline followed Bob to bases in Indiana, Kansas, and Virginia. They settled in Winston-Salem and had three daughters.

Caroline was a founding member of St. Timothy's Episcopal Church in Winston-Salem, serving on the Vestry and as the director of the altar guild for many years.

Caroline devoted herself to raising her girls: fixing them a hot breakfast every morning, driving endless carpools, being a grade school room mother, serving as Girl Scout cookie mother, tolerating white rats in the house for a science experiment, proofreading and typing school papers, cooking every night for a family dinner, and attending her daughter's sporting events (OK, Only Ginny played well enough to be on a team.).

Her greatest success and joy was her marriage to Bob. He came home from work and kissed her like he had been waiting all day to do just that. Bob taught high school English, and Caroline was known to his students as "The Grader." She was the sensible, practical and frugal one, and kept their boat afloat while Bob filled the sails. Caroline did not suffer fools. She was a wary and wise advocate for her girls, and they loved it when she got the giggles.

In their 40's Caroline and Bob enrolled the entire family in a beginner tennis class, and learned together as a family. Caroline got her real estate license in her 50's, but she was better at talking clients out of, instead of into, buying. She insisted that any family vacation that required her to cook or clean was not a vacation but merely a change in venue.

Caroline and Bob travelled to Alaska, Canada, England, Switzerland, Norway, Greece, and Turkey; Caroline studied and read about their destinations for months beforehand. They were married 67 years when Bob died in 2019.

Caroline had a stroke nine years ago and could never return home. She was brave and kind and uncomplaining.

She is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law, Cobey and Rohn Wagoner of Charleston, SC, Lisa and Tim Saunders, and Ginny and Eric Jenkins of Charlotte; seven grandchildren: Phil Wagoner and his wife, Emily; Caroline Saunders and her fiancé, John Walsh; Kristine Wagoner and her fiancé, Justin Redfern; Julia Gray Farber and her husband, Harrison; Rob Saunders; Scott Jenkins; and Mark Jenkins; and three great-grandchildren: Joyce Cobey Little, Stevan Reece Wagoner, and Samuel Harrison Farber,Jr. Caroline is also survived by her "4th daughter," Pam Smith Compton.

The family is grateful for the staff at Arbor Acres Retirement Community where Caroline lived for nine years, and Southminster Retirement Community where she spent her last month. Memorials may go to the Caroline and Robert Goodwin North Forsyth High School Scholarship at the Winston-Salem Foundation (751 West Fourth Street, 27101) or to the Arbor Acres Employee Scholarship Fund or St. Timothy's Episcopal Church. The service and burial for Mrs. Goodwin will be private.

Robertson Funeral & Cremation Service

10310-300 Feldfarm Lane, Charlotte, NC 28210

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Winston-Salem Journal on Mar. 13, 2022.

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4 Entries

Tim Caudle 83´

March 16, 2022

With Prayers, Love and Heartfelt Memories, you have and will remain in our Hearts Forever.
You touched our hearts just as your Precious and Funny Husband did each and every day. Thank You also for allowing us to be a part of Your Sweet and Precious Family.
You may have always been known as "The Grader"; however You were and are a true "NF Viking". You will live in our hearts and memories forever.
With Great Love & Honor, we wish You Gods Speed "Mrs G"........

Jennie Barringer

March 13, 2022

My deepest sympathy for your great loss is extended to your entire family.

Gregory Tuttle, M.D. and wife, Becky Barr

March 13, 2022

Cobey, Lisa & Tim, Ginny, Becky Barr (wife), NFHS '70 with me, are so sorry for your loss. Remember your mom so well visiting Bob many times over in your home over on Hertford. She was such a sweet and kind lady, always with some "treat" for us to enjoy. And Bob, probably more influence on me of anyone besides my parents. A special Sig Ep brother and mentor. You will all be in our prayers as you move forward in the days to come. Please accept our sincere condolences. May Christ be close as you grieve and yet rejoice in Carolines' new Home. God bless and comfort you all.

Myra Buxton Nixon

March 13, 2022

Dear Ginny,

I recognized your mom´s picture from so many years ago. I´m so very sorry for your loss. May God´s peace be with you and your family.

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