Ann York Goggins

A celebration of life for Martha Ann York Goggins, 91, will be held at Thomasville First United Methodist Church on Sunday, February 2, 2020. The family will receive friends in the sanctuary from 2:00 to 2:30 pm followed by a funeral service at 3:00 pm. A private graveside service will be held at Laurel Hill Cemetery following the church service. The reverends Ronnie Wills, Cory Hallett and Floyd White will officiate.
Ann Goggins passed away January 31 at home surrounded by her family. Ann was born October 1,1928 in Americus, Georgia. She was the daughter of Hugh Pennington York and Audrey Cordell York Carleo. Ann lost her father at an early childhood age and the family moved to Thomasville with her mother and brother where they lived over the years with her paternal grandmother, Viola Lancaster York Burnette, and her step grandfather, William J. Burnett. She attended elementary school in Thomasville and high school in Greenwood, SC. where she met the love of her life, Paul Welch Goggins Sr. They were separated during WWII while Paul served in the U.S. Merchant Marine and the U.S. Army. The couple was married on April 11,1946 in Thomasville and lived in Columbus, Ga where Paul completed his military commitment as a paratrooper Jumpmaster at Fort Benning. After leaving the Army the couple moved to Thomasville and Paul joined Burnett Boiler, Ann’s step grandfather’s business. In 1951, the couple was separated again when Paul, while serving in the Army Reserve, was called back into active duty and deployed to combat in the Korean War where he received a Purple Heart and Silver Star. After returning from the war, Paul founded Industrial Boiler Co. and Ann was instrumental in helping during the early years of the business. Ann spent most of her adult life as a homemaker and enjoyed traveling with her husband both internationally and throughout North America. Her greatest joy was caring for her home, loving and spending time with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and friends.
Ann was a lifelong member of the Thomasville First United Methodist Church and faithful member of the Sue McTier Sunday School Class and UMW Circle 3 where she was recognized as a Quiet Disciple. She was a leader of Girl Scouts Troop 71, a member of Countess Vandal Garden Club, Thomasville Landmarks, Thomasville Historical Society and a “Tuesday Craft Group” of close friends that met weekly for over 40 years.
Mrs. Goggins was preceded in death in 1994 by her husband of 48 years, her parents, and brother Hugh Cordell York. Survivors include: daughter and son in law, Paula and Bob Smith of Thomasville; son and daughter in law, Welch and Joyce Goggins of Thomasville; five grandchildren, Bert Smith of Atlanta, GA, Ann Marie and Cory Hallett of Smyrna, GA, Kent and Erin Smith of Thomasville, Jessica and Floyd White of Thomasville, Paul Welch Goggins III of Atlanta, GA; six great-grandchildren, Anna Claire Hallett, Stella Smith, Brennan White, Margaret White, Ava Hallett, Asher Smith; sister in law, Mable York of Thomasville; nieces and nephews, Cathy and Hugh Francis of Alabaster, AL, Hugh and Connie York of Cumming, GA, Kirk Goggans of Jonesboro, GA, Tommy and Julie York of Cairo, GA.
A special appreciation goes to the loving caregivers, Paula Conti, Virginia Smith, Coretta Jackson, Mary Smiley, Theresa Thomas, and the faithful doctors and staff members of McIntosh Clinic and Bethany Hospice for their support.
In lieu of flowers, the family request donations in her honor to the Thomas County Food Bank or Lawson Neel Med Bank: c/o Thomasville First United Methodist Church at P.O. Box 975, Thomasville, GA 31799.