Obituary of Willie Mae Goodwin

Willie Mae Goodwin, affectionately known as Willa, was born February 22nd, 1930 in Georgetown, South Carolina to the late Allen Knowlings and Daisy Williams. At the age of 12, she relocated with her family to New York City where she continued her secondary education at Central Needle Trades School in Harlem, NY. It was at this school that she began to hone her seamstress and crafter skills that improved throughout her life. In 1949 Willa married the late Walter Goodwin and their union was blessed with five children. Their family moved to Long Island where she earned an associate's degree and began a career as a dental assistant. Upon retirement she pursued her other passions which included traveling the world, doting on her grandchildren, creative arts and being of service to her community and treasured friends. As a devoted member of Bethel AME Church in Huntington Village, Willa performed many loving tasks, including working the food pantry, making hot soup for the pantry workers, Women's Day activities, cooking meals for the pastor and his family, fundraising, and other tasks to glorify God. Willa was a long time active member of the NAACP, Huntington Branch. She was a member of the Huntington Park Village Seniors where she indulged her passion for travel as the Chairperson of Trips and Tours. She was recognized by the Town of Huntington as 'Senior Citizen of the Year' in 2010 for service to her community. Time and space limit our ability to thoroughly describe the grace and humility embodied by our beloved Willa. This is evident to those who knew her. Willie Mae Goodwin departed this life Wednesday, October 3, 2012. She has gone on to join her parents, husband, Walter, sister, Rebecca Blair, two brothers, Allen and Benjamin Knowlings, her sons, Randolph, Guy, and Walter Goodwin, and her granddaughter, Jamilah Monica. She leaves to cherish her memory, her son, Edward Allen, (Miryam), daughters, Loretta Servance, (Abram) and Tina Marie, her granddaughter whom she raised since birth as her own., fifteen grandchildren, three great grands, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and a wonderful family of 'adopted' children and dear friends.