Alyce Roberta Goff

After a long and rich life, Mrs. Alyce Roberta Gay Goff went home on November 19, 2018. Her life’s story is filled with family, education, community service, honors and awards. Much of that story centers on her prowess as an extraordinary musician and on her service to the community. Alyce Roberta Gay was the twelfth of thirteen children. She was born in Bessemer, Alabama, on July 17, 1918, to Charles W. and Rosetta Brooks Gay. When her family moved to Gary, Indiana, she began to develop a love for music and she played violin in the school orchestra. However, Mrs. Goff learned to play the piano without private instruction and it became her signature instrument.

During her high school years, Mrs. Goff lived in Detroit, Michigan, where she received the Diploma of Music from Cass Technical High School. After high school, she entered Wiley College, in Marshall, Texas, where she studied piano, voice, music education and served as the piano accompanist. Mrs. Goff graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts Degree.

Upon graduation from Wiley College, Mrs. Goff accepted the position as Choir Director at Jarvis Christian College under the administration of the late Rev. Dr. Peter C. Washington. Travel was an integral part of the music department, so, because of limited funds and transportation issues, the choir could only travel with a small number; thus, the JCC Choral Ensemble, composed of 16 talented singers was formed and soon became quite popular. The JCC Choral Ensemble would join President Washington on speaking engagements and traveled throughout the state of Texas. Not only did she also prepare music for campus worship services and performances, again, throughout the state, she also wrote the school song for Jarvis Christian College.

After leaving Jarvis, Mrs. Goff taught music in various elementary and secondary schools in Texas, settling in Waco, at Paul Lawrence Dunbar High School. Later, she also became one of the music staff professionals at Paul Quinn College, at the Waco and the Dallas campuses. While serving as the accompanist for the Paul Quinn College Concert Choir, the director took an emergency leave of absence, and Mrs. Goff became the director.

Her education did not end at Wiley College. She took graduate courses at Wayne State University in Detroit; and at the University of Colorado in Boulder. She earned a Master of Science Degree in Education at Baylor University, in Waco, Texas; however, she never stopped seeking to learn more. She continued to take courses, workshops and seminars at the University of Texas, in Austin, and at Southwest Texas State University.

Mrs. Goff received broad recognition and numerous awards for her work and service. She performed in concerts, such as “High Tea At Two” at the African American Museum in Dallas; her “This Is Your Life” story was presented as a play at the De Soto Convention Center; she was recognized as an “Outstanding Woman in the Arts” by the Black Academy of Arts and Letters; and there was so much more. In 2003, for example, the Dallas Metroplex Musicians Association (DMMA) named her Musician of the Year. Quite appropriately, Mrs. Goff was one of the authors of Real Gusto Comes Later: How Professional Women Experience Retirement, published in 2011.

Alyce Roberta Gay married Garrett J. Goff on December 23, 1956. To this union two children were born: Joseph and Angela. Rev. Garrett Goff was an ordained minister and served as pastor of the Wesley United Methodist Church in Waco, Texas. Their marriage lasted until his death, twenty-five years later. Mrs. Goff’s legacy includes raising and nurturing a family of musicians. She gave her two young grandsons piano lessons. On several occasions, she and her son, Joseph, performed jazz duets; Joseph on the bass and his mother at the piano. Her daughter, Angela, is a United Methodist Church minister with a lovely soprano voice, who was often accompanied by her mother on piano.

Mrs. Goff worshipped at Glen Oaks United Methodist Church in Dallas. She was an active member of the United Methodist Women, Dallas Metroplex Musicians Association, and South Dallas Concert Choir. Mrs. Goff was always involved in the community. She was a proud member of the Dallas Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.

She is survived by son Joseph Goff, (Eneida), daughter Angela Williams (Alvin), step-daughter Odelia Goff-Lando, granddaughters Bridgett, Ambreal, Allika, grandsons Joseph, Elijah, nieces Majorie Nell Cole, Dorothy Brown, Penny Ralston, Charlene Ballard and a host of other grand kids, nieces, nephews, grand and great grand nieces and nephews along with numerous friends who will forever cherish her memory.