Pauline Pettry
Hollandsworth Goad
Born October 20, 1937,
in Raleigh County,
West Virginia
Pauline Goad went to be with the Lord on April 21, 2026, at
the age of 88. She was the last of 13 children and the youngest daughter. She
is preceded in death by her parents, Rev. Henry Lee Pettry 1887-1966, Gracie
Oduskie Hollandsworth Pettry 1894-1961; her first husband, Clifford Major
Hollandsworth 1935-1958.
She is also preceded in death by her siblings, Willie
Koviler Pettry 1910-1987 (Bradie), Beatrice “Bertie” Lee Pettry Anderson
1913-2008 (Roscoe), Luella Pettry (infant) 1915, Maltbie Dwight Pettry
1916-1991 (Shirley), Jeremy Judson Pettry (infant) 1919, Guyda Estelle Pettry
Roop 1921-2000 (Lewis), Lora Eugenia “Jeannie” Pettry Hall 1924-2022 (Ken),
Ossie Marie Pettry Cox 1926-2008 (Cline), Lena Florence Imogene Pettry Reece
1928-2004 (Junior), Roy Delbert Pettry 1930-1997 (Addie), Harry Alfred Pettry
1932-1970 (Jewel), and James Larry Pettry 1935-2008 (Helena).
She is survived by her husband, Hanford Leo Goad; daughters,
Sandra Akers-Toth (Phil), Brenda Elliott (Jack); grandchildren, Jack Akers
(Alesha), Sarah Campbell (Robert), Tara Elliott Whitlock (Carl);
great-grandchildren, Abby Akers, William Whitlock; and numerous nieces and
nephews throughout the United States.
Pauline’s father, Rev. Henry Lee Pettry was a minister, and
Pauline got her faith in Jesus from him. Her mother, Gracie, was known as a
midwife in West Virginia. She taught all her girls how to cook, bake, spring clean
house, and all the tasks required of a housewife of the time.
Pauline had no middle name. The youngest of 13 children she
liked to say by the time she was born they had run out of names. Like many
girls of her time, Pauline didn’t finish school. Despite this she was self-taught
and very sharp in math and spelling.
Pauline moved from her birthplace in West Virginia to a
family farm in Floyd Co. Virginia when she was two years old. Apart from a
brief time in Salem as a newlywed, she lived at the farm on Greasey Creek,
Indian Valley for about 85 years. She lost her husband, Clifford, in a
car/train collision just days before the birth of her daughter Sandra. In less
than a year she had become a bride, a widow, and a mother. It was at this point
she moved back with her parents.
Five and a half years later she married Hanford Goad and was
his faithful wife and companion. They continued to live on Greasey Creek and a
year later Pauline gave birth to her daughter, Brenda. She raised her two girls
to be able to take care of themselves and others. She later spent many days
watching after grandchildren Jack, Sarah, and Tara.
Pauline never met a task too difficult. She was known for
her thriving gardens which lead to much canning every year. She could feed a
large table of farm hands daily and family/holiday get togethers when the need
arose. Pauline was well known for her soft, flaky biscuits, cakes, pies, banana
pudding, and especially her “smashed taters.” She tried to pass those same
skills along to her girls.
She lived nearest to her sister, Ossie, and enjoyed being
able to go shopping or to get their hair done together. She and Ossie were well
known for their delicious, fried apple pies, and could have made a go at a
business that sold them.
An annual highlight was a trip back to West Virginia for a
Pettry family reunion to visit with her brothers and sisters. Locally, she
prepared a large spread for a family picnic along the Blue Ridge Parkway. A
trip to the Moses Cone House was always a favorite.
We would like to give special thanks to Emily Turner, FNP of
Carilion Floyd Family Medicine for suggesting their Mobile Nurse service that
helped Pauline get evaluated for home care, and to Carilion New River Valley
Hospice, her caregivers Harmony and Rebecca who were very kind and supportive
to her, and attentive to Hanford in helping relieve him of some of his
caregiver duties.
Graveside services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, April
24, 2026, in the Cox Cemetery, Dugspur, VA where Pauline will be laid to rest with
Pastor Roy Turpin officiating.
In lieu of flowers please make donations in memory of
Pauline to the Cox Cemetery, c/o Jennifer Gardner, 835 Indian Valley Rd.,
Dugspur, VA 24325.
We would like to thank our friends and families for all
their prayers and support during Pauline’s illness, it will forever be
remembered.
