Ruth G. Goins

Ruth Elizabeth Goins was born on October 14, 1934, in Spartanburg, SC to the late Lizzie and Issac Gist. From this union, she was the oldest of two children.

Ruth was educated in the Spartanburg County School District. After graduating, she went on to further her education at South Carolina State College in Orangeburg, SC., where she majored in Biology and graduated with honors. Ruth loved school and she LOVED teaching. She returned to her hometown and began teaching for the Spartanburg County School District then later in the Newburgh Enlarged City School District. Ruth worked with all age groups but tended to gravitate to the high schoolers. Later, she left the classroom setting and moved to the Board of Education where she oversaw the Magnet School Program that started in Newburgh.

Ruth married her high school sweetheart, the late James Howard Goins Sr. in 1958. They have two children, James Howard Goins, Jr., Poughkeepsie, NY, and Kathryn Goins, Charlotte, NC. She also has a daughter-in-law, Clarissa, and is the proud grandmother of Makayla and Kolongi.

Ruth was very active in her community:
– Former member of Star of Bethlehem Baptist Church where she was a Sunday School teacher. Later she moved her membership to Beulah Baptist Church.
– Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated for over 50 years and gained Golden status.
– Past Worthy Matron of the Twilight Chapter #28, Beacon, NY.
– Past State President of the Empire State Federation of Women’s Clubs.
– Past State President of the National Association of Colored Women and Youth Clubs.
– Founded the Olga Galloway Girls’ Club, a part of the National Association of Colored Women and Youth Clubs.
– State Youth Supervisor of Youth Clubs, a part of the National Association of Colored Women and Youth Clubs.
– Member of Les Soeurs Amiables Civic Club.
– One of the founding members of the Southern Dutchess Coalition and she helped to organize the Annual Martin Luther King Celebration in the community.
– Received several accolades during her teaching tenure and various clubs she participated in.

She loved assisting people whenever she could, especially the children.

Ruth leaves to treasure her memories of her loving children, James Howard Goins, Jr. (Clarissa) and Kathryn Goins; sister, Genevieve Williams; brothers-in-law, Charles Goins (Polly), Kenneth Goins (Julie); sister-in-law, Barbara Goins; grandchildren, Makayla Goins and Kolongi Goins; along with a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends