Mary Evelyn Goforth, age 89, of Richmond, VA passed away on Feb.6, 2022. Evelyn was born in Rochelle, Va. to the late Ina and Frank Darnell. She married Arthur “Buck” Goforth, who preceded her in death.
She will be greatly missed by her children Cynthia Goforth, Todd Goforth (Stacey), and Gina Tiller (Russell) and her grandchildren Kara (Van), Emma, Trenton, and Macie. She is also survived by her sister Peggy Carter, sister-in-law Linda Darnell, brother Ray Darnell (Agnes) and numerous nieces and nephews.
Evelyn was also preceded in death by her infant son Michael, her sister Elma Padgett (Garland), brothers Walter and Howard Darnell, and brother-in-law James Carter.
As a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, she enjoyed spending time with her family whether it was going to the beach or lake, telling stories from growing up on the farm, cheering at sporting events, baking, or hosting every holiday. One of her priorities was always making sure she saw you on your birthday and made your favorite cake.
Always staying busy, she loved working not only in her yard but also in her daughters and sisters. Evelyn enjoyed purchasing and refinishing antiques, doing crafts, sewing, and playing the piano by ear. She loved watching her soap operas, the movie, Gone With the Wind, and the shows about the Royal Family. As a special treat for family or friends, she often made her famous pound or applesauce cake.
She always teased that her last name was Goforth for a reason: she loved to be on the go. She enjoyed travelling, having visited the entire East Coast (from Florida to Maine), out West (rafting down the Colorado River), Las Vegas (which to everyone’s surprise she loved), California, Mexico, and throughout Europe, especially seeing the Swiss Alps. Yet, she was also excited to travel nearby, visiting her son at the beach, both of her sisters, or her daughters.
She had many good friends. She started and was president of her neighborhood Homemakers in Louisville, Ky and Brighton Green in Chesterfield. Taking day trips with her friends, she was an active member of the Garden Club. As a pre-school teacher at Bon Air Baptist Church, she was adored by the children and their parents.
Her family and friends will always remember her wit, generosity, love, and support.
A graveside service will be held Sat., Feb 12 at 1 pm at Bethel United Methodist Church (where she grew up and was married) in Rochelle, Va.
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