Mary "Mama Goss" Ann Goss

MACON – Mary Ann “Mama Goss” Minyard Goss, 88, entered her Heavenly Home on Tuesday, February 14, 2012. Funeral services and a celebration of her life will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, February 18, 2012 in the chapel of Macon Memorial Park Funeral Home with burial in Glen Haven Memorial Gardens. Grandsons Henry, Thomas, Chad, Brock and Jonathan Goss and Rev. Joe McDaniel will officiate.

Visitation for family and friends will be held from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., Friday, February 17, 2012 at Macon Memorial Park Funeral Home. The family may be contacted prior to the visitation at Clearwater Plantation House, 6920 Forsyth Road, Macon GA from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. on Friday, February 17, 2012 and again at Clearwater following the funeral and burial.

Mrs. Goss, wife of the late Vernon Thelston Goss, Sr., was born in Hartwell, Georgia the daughter of the late John Henry and Johnnie Mae Adams Minyard. She had lived in Macon most of her life and was retired from Robins Air Force Base, where she was a three—time winner in the Talent on Parade Showcase in the comedy and Master of Ceremonies categories. Mrs. Goss had taught Fifth Grade at R. W. Lindsey Elementary School, Warner Robins. She was a member of Mabel White Memorial Baptist Church and the WMU. Mrs. Goss was a former member of Pine Forest Baptist Church in Macon and attended Second Baptist Church in Warner Robins where she was a member of Faith Bible Sunday School Class.

Mama Goss’ love for children reached beyond her own home into her community as a teacher for children with special needs at Tattnall Square Academy and Woodfield Academy. For more than a decade, she served with Kids Yule Love, providing toys to thousands of needy children at Christmas. She also volunteered with the American Cancer Society and the American Heart Association. In honor of her outstanding service in the community, Mama Goss was named 13 WMAZ Volunteer of the Year in 2000.

She is survived by the family she adored, her children, Johnny (Jane) Goss, Lola (Kenny) Williams, Gwen (Henry) Arrington and Tommy Goss, all of Macon and Thelston (JoAnn) Goss, David Goss and Jenice King, all of Warner Robins; twenty-four grandchildren; forty-two great grandchildren; six great-great grandchildren; her sister, Rosa Greer of Fort Valley; a number of nieces, nephews and extended family whom she loved deeply.

Mrs. Goss was preceded in death by her grandson, Vernon Thelston Goss, III, her daughter-in-law, Vicki Brock Goss, her son-in-law, William Danny King, one brother and five sisters.

The family expresses their most heartfelt appreciation to the Staff of The Oaks at Peake Nursing Home for their professional, yet tender love and care shown Mama Goss during her residency there.

Visit www.maconmp.com to express condolences.

Macon Memorial Park Funeral Home has charge of the arrangements.