Willie James Goins, Sr.

Minister Willie James Goins, Sr. was born June 2, 1940, in Winnsboro, SC, the beloved son of the late Annie Green. He departed this earthly life on Tuesday, September 5, 2023, at Prisma Health Richland Medical Center, Columbia, SC.

Willie was educated in the public schools of Richland County and graduated from C. A. Johnson High School. He was employed at Fruit of the Loom Elastic Company of Lexington, SC from which he retired after many years of dedicated service. He also worked with the City of Columbia Police department as a Police School Crossing Guard.

He was united in Holy Matrimony with the late Lula Belle Goins with whom he shared more than twenty-five years of love and devotion before she went home to be with the Lord.

Brother Goins was a lifelong, committed, and faithful member of Mount Zion AME Church in Winnsboro, SC. During his tenure at Mount Zion, he served in various positions including Choir Officer, a member of the Trustee Board, and as a Steward. At the time of his demise, he was serving as Steward Pro Tem at Mount Zion AME Church, an office he held with the highest regard. Willie also loved music and he was the managing owner of “Willie Goins and the Melodyettes of Columbia”, for 50 years. During his lifetime he was also the recipient of many awards and certificates from work and ministry. Not only did he love to sing, but he also loved playing the drums and guitar, and he loved his church. He will be missed by all those whose lives he so lovingly touched.

In addition to his wife, and his mother, he was also preceded in death by his brothers, Bob Clyde, and Albert Goins, and his sister, Mamie Hopkins.

Those who will forever cherish Willie’s fond and precious memories are his children, Pemeco Goins, Sonya Goins, Willie (Carolyn) Goins, and Rev. Dwight Odell Jackson, Sr.; grandchildren, Brandisha White, Antwan Goins, Tamika White, Ronnie (Janell) White, Pelar Byrd, Eniqua Jones, Daniel Brown, Samiyah Edwards, Anthony Butler, Jr., and Marcus Middleton; fourteen (14) great-grandchildren; brother, James (Karen) Goins of Jacksonville, FL; sister, Lily Mae Callaway of Columbia, SC; a host of nephews, nieces, and other loving relatives and caring friends, all of whom will dearly miss him.

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