Dolly Goodwyn

BRANCHVILLE—Dolly Rose Murphy Goodwyn passed away Dec. 21, 2010, at her home.

Born November 1, 1924, she was the ninth child of the late Lester and Hattie Parker Murphy.

Baptized at an early age, she grew up as a member of Rising Star Baptist Church and as a student in Southampton County Public Schools.

On July 1, 1944, she married the late Sam Green Goodwyn. To this 63-year union four children were born: Deborah Ann, Doreen Celestine, Samuel Bernard and Walter Frank. In addition, the couple was blessed with an adopted daughter, Eula Paige, and a foster son, Demetrick Jones.

Dolly, affectionately known as Dot and later as Ms. Dolly, was an award-winning agent for North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Company for close to thirty years. She loved her church and community and dedicated her life to her family.

Her faith in God was the cornerstone of her life. For many years she used her musical gifts to lift up the name and spread the good news of Jesus Christ. She was the musician for several choirs and was a member of several choirs as well.

After being a member of Rising Star Baptist Church for nearly fifty years, in the late 1970s, she moved her membership to Galilee Baptist Church where her husband Sam was a deacon. After joining Galilee, she served as a deaconess, financial secretary, and chairperson for numerous programs. She remained a faithful member of Galilee until her death.

Dolly was also an active member of her community. She worked with several voter registration projects and was president of the Southampton County Chapter of the NAACP for over a decade. She also served as president of the Southampton County Assembly for many years.

In addition, she was past Worthy Matron of her chapter of the Eastern Star, past president of the Farmer’s Friend Lodge #1, and founder of her beloved Boykins Community Youth Center (CYC) Club. She was the recipient of numerous awards from fraternities and other organizations recognizing her contribution to the community.

Dolly loved people. She always desired to make the world a better place and believed that with faith in God anything was possible. Her enthusiasm and confidence were infectious. However, foremost she loved her family. She always said that her favorite topic of conversation was her family, especially her children.

Dolly leaves to cherish her memory her grateful children: Dr. Deborah Goodwyn and her daughter Dotty Waters; Doreen Tubbs, her husband John, and their children Josh and Ashley; Honorable S. Bernard Goodwyn, his wife Sharon, and their children Sam and Sarah; Walter (Frankie) Goodwyn, his wife Wa’Chevia, and his children, Simone, Felice, and Casey; Eula Paige Turner Crockett, her children Leroy Turner, Jr., Annette Turner Harper (Tyrone), Timothy Turner, Gary Crockett, and Anthony Gregory, her twelve grandchildren, and three great grandchildren; Demetrick Jones and his four daughters; her devoted sister-in-law, Lillian Goodwyn Woodley; and a host of other relatives and friends.

A wake for Dolly Rose Murphy Goodwyn will take place on Sunday, December 26, from 2-4 p.m. at Engram Funeral Home, 1001 Armory Drive, Franklin, Virginia.

Funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday, December 27, 2010, at Galilee Baptist Church, 15688 Old Branchville Road, Branchville, Virginia, by Pastor Willie L. Diggs delivering the eulogy. Burial will be in the church cemetery.