Gertha Lee Goines

Today is the day we all celebrate the life of one of God’s greatest treasures on earth, Gertha Lee Goines. Gertha received her heavenly call on June 16, 2019, surrounded by her daughters.She was born in Morris, GA to the late J. C. Peterson and Leila Peterson. She was united in holy matrimony to the late Willie Goines, for sixty-three years, in the State of Ohio. A year later she moved to Newark, NJ, where she resided for fifty-one years. From their union they had four daughters, Sandra Thompson, Barbara G. Baker, the late Janice Nelson and Britt Green. She also raised Willie Bill Simmons, the late Kwame Darby and Fuquan Hammond.Christian WalkShe was a member of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Newark, NJ, where she accepted Christ as her personal Savior. She loved singing in the choir and also served as secretary of the church for many years.Education and EmploymentShe received her GED by attending night school. She worked at the Newark Board of Education for twenty-five years and retired and moved to Cuthbert, GA in 2001.Time To CherishShe was preceded in death by her husband, Willie Goines; daughter, Janice Nelson and son, Kwane Darby; five sisters, Ethel Barber, Bennie Lou Haygood, Nettie Mae Dixon, Leila Mae Jones and Doll Foster; one brother, James C. Peterson.Mama as we called her was a woman of many hats. A mother, where as she nurtured, raised, rendered and fed many, including those that weren’t related and stopped by to visit or just in need of help; a sister, aunt, cousin and a friend to many. Many people lives were effected throughout her lifetime. She will be truly missed by everyone.She leaves cherished memories to her daughters, Sandra Thompson (Jimmy) of Loganville, GA, Barbara Baker (Charles) of Newark, NJ and Britt Green (Keith) of Clinton, MD; two sons, Willie Bill Simmons and Fuquan Hammond; sister, Ozella Peterson of Stone Mountain, GA and brother, Johnny Peterson of Rochester, NY; sisters-in-law, Margie Goines, Olivia Vanover of Coleman, GA and Fannie Daniels of Newark, NJ; eleven grandchildren, four great grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends.