Margaret Goins

Margaret Louise Carver Goins, age 87, a lifelong resident of Cleveland, Tennessee, met her precious Saviour face to face on November 22, 2025. She was born on March 21, 1938 to Creed Carver and Mary Carver Scealf. She grew up in the East Cleveland Community where she met the love of her life (Gerald Dean Goins) in third grade. She would later become his wife and would continue to bring a sparkle to his eye for 64 beautiful years.

She was a true example of a Proverbs 31 virtuous woman. Love and grace overflowed from deep within her spirit and spilled out upon all who came into her presence. She was no respecter of persons. She loved the unlovely, extended grace and cared for those others may call unworthy. A quote she often repeated was "love holds no record of wrong". All were welcome at her table and in her home. If you were in her presence any length of time, she would invite you to eat ... both physical food and spiritual. She wanted to make sure your belly was full and your eternity secure. Her faith was strong and unwavering. She shared the hope of Jesus Christ and promise of heaven with boldness and courage. The legacy she leaves behind is not the length of her life, but the length of the shadow of her influence. Her shadow will never fade and will live on in the lives of many.

She was full of mischief and laughter and would go to great lengths to bring a smile to your face, joy to your heart and sunshine to your day. She loved southern gospel, bluegrass gospel and music that stirred her soul, made her hands clap and her toes tap. She would often make her family and friends belly laugh when she would "cut a rug" while giving her best effort attempting to clog and "buck dance".

Awaiting to greet her when she entered heaven were her parents, Creed Carver and Mary Carver Scealf; step-dad Eugene Scealf; her husband, Gerald Dean Goins and beloved son, Jeffrey Dean Goins. Left to cherish her memory and await their blessed reunion are her children, Debbie Goins Walker, Rodney (Tina) Goins, Kim (Brian) Nolen; seven grandchildren, Tyler, Clay, Nolen (Ashley) Goins and Trent Goins, Chrystal (Judson) Bates, Peyton (Hunter) Greene and Madison (Blaze) Benton and six great grandchildren Jayden, Anna, Allison and Graysen Bates, Reese and Kit Goins. Many beloved nieces and nephews and cherished friends. Special end of life servants and caregivers Valerie, Jacquelyn, Lorrie, Brandy and Chassy, and Hospice of Chattanooga.

Services will be held on Wednesday November 26, 2025, there will be a visitation from 10:00 -12:00 pm with a service to follow at 12:00 pm at East Cleveland Baptist Church located at 1145 Arnold St. Cleveland, TN 37311 with Joe Lockman and Duane Hamby officiating. Following the service she will be laid to rest at Sunset Memorial Gardens.