Sister Mary Gervase Goellner RSM

Sister Mary Gervase Goellner, RSM of McAuley Convent, Barling, AR passed away Sunday, February 12, 2012. Sister was born March 28, 1916 in Lumberton, MS and was baptized Flora Frances Goellner at Mother of Perpetual Help Church in Lumberton, MS. Her parents were Ferdinand and Theresa Goellner. Sister entered the Sisters of Mercy Community on September 8, 1935 in Webster Grove. She professed her first vows on March 12, 1938 and perpetual vows August 16, 1941.

She received her BA of Science degree from Our Lady of the Lake College, San Antonio, TX in 1959. Additionally she studied theology at Xavier University in Chicago, IL. Her ministry included teaching and administration in elementary schools in Mississippi, Louisiana, and Arkansas. Sister then did parish and healthcare pastoral ministry in Missouri and Arkansas until she retired at McAuley Convent in Barling, AR in 1996 where she continued her ministry as an active volunteer in healthcare, schools, and churches in the Ft. Smith and Barling areas.

Sister Gervase is preceded in death by her parents, Ferdinand Goellner and Theresa Elizabeth Schivrenjohn, three brothers; A.C. Goellner, Ollie Goellner, and Paul Goellner, and two sisters; Clementine Goellner and Sister Mary Elreada Goellner, RSM.

She is survived by one sister; Mary Seals of Mississippi, and one brother Edward Bernard Goellner of Texas; nieces Teresa Lester and Mary Smith both of Mississippi, and Ann Jay of Florida; her nephews; Troy Seals, Tony Seals, Joe Goellner, and Gene Goellner all of Mississippi and Karl Goellner of Texas.

The Rosary and Funeral Service will be held at Catherine McAuley Convent, in Barling, AR on Wednesday, Family visitation and prayer will take place on Friday at 11:00am at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Lumberton, MS and burial will following at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Cemetery in Lumberton MS. Local arrangements are under the direction of White Funeral Home of Lumberton, MS.