Clarence Edward Goad

June 25, 1925 - April 17, 2013

Clarence Edward Goad went to be with his Father in Heaven Wednesday, April 17, 2013. A beloved husband, father and grandfather, he was surrounded by his family at home when he passed from this life. He had fought a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Up until his diagnosis last fall, he had been blessed with good health. Throughout his 87 years, he was devoted to his family and church. He met his wife Magdalene at New Haven Baptist Church and shortly thereafter made a profession of faith. Since that time, he has served faithfully in the church. He became a deacon in 1952 and continued that service until his death. He was also a church trustee. As an usher, he liked to greet people with a smile and handshake. He enjoyed helping in the Sunday School office. A hard worker, he liked to rise early and put in a full day, whether it was on the farm, in the woods or at the sawmill. He and brothers Clyde and Glen began working with their father Eddie, a lumber man, at an early age. He and Clyde, who live on adjoining farms, continued the family business until his death. Clarence was born on June 25, 1925. He spent his early childhood on the Buffalo Mountain, and was one of four children born to Eddie and Ada Goad. When he was a young boy, the family moved to a home on what is now Woods Gap Road. His mother eventually opened a country store and operated it for several years. Clarence attended Mount Ruffner School on Haycock Mountain. During World War II, Clarence was doing field maneuvers training in the Army in Texas when a machine gun rolled off a ramp and crushed his right heel. After being treated at a hospital there, he was transferred to Johns Hopkins in Maryland and then the Valley Forge Hospital in Pennsylvania. He spent over a year in the hospitals. In recent years, Clarence and Clyde have operated a beef cattle farm and sawmill. In addition to the cows, Clarence has also enjoyed his donkeys, Jenny and Jill. He and Magdalene followed their grandchildren’s athletic years at Floyd County High School and became avid Buffalo fans. Family was very important to Clarence, and he worked hard to provide for his family. He loved his grandchildren, and he was anticipating the birth of his first great-grandchild. At New Haven, Clarence was a member under the leadership of three pastors – Rev. Joe Falls, Rev. Leon Wood, and his current pastor, Rev. John Chambers. He was preceded in death by a son, Joseph Edward, his parents, Eddie and Ada Goad, and a brother, Glen Goad. He will be lovingly remembered and missed by: his wife of 61 years, Magdalene; two daughters and their husbands, Wanda and Bobby Combs, Susan and Tony Brown; four grandchildren, Abby Combs, Alex Combs, Maggie Brown Lance and her husband Abram, Molly Brown and her friend Matt Willie; a brother, Clyde Goad; a sister, Lena Nolen; cousins, Bobby Ayers, Roger Goad and Paul Goad; sister-in-law and husband, Edna and James Agnew; numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives; his church family and other friends. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 20, 2013 at New Haven Baptist Church with the Reverend John Chambers, Reverend Leon Wood, and Reverend Murray Agee officiating . Serving as pallbearers are Marvin Radford, Dennis Anderson, Thurman Wray, Ronnie Bolt, Phillip Martin, and Larry Martin. Interment will follow at Jacksonville Cemetery with graveside military rites conducted by Floyd County V.F.W. Post # 7854 and Floyd American Legion Post # 127. Friends may call on Friday after 5 p.m. at New Haven Baptist Church where the family will be from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. The family expresses its special appreciation to Blue Ridge Cancer Center in Roanoke and their staff, the nurses and doctors of Carilion New River Valley Medical Center in Radford, and Carilion Hospice, especially Sophia Hudson and Sherry Reed, who provided care in the home. Condolences to the family may be made at www.gardnerfuneralhome.floyd.com. Arrangements are being handled by Gardner Funeral Home, Floyd, 540-745-2007. Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee. How great thou art!