Marion Gooding

Marion Gooding, 83 of New Bern, died December 21, 2011. Marion fought a good fight, he finished his course and he kept the faith. He is spending his first Christmas in heaven. Beloved husband, father and grandfather, he is survived by his wife of 61 years, Elgon Gooding, two daughters, Lynn Gooding Croom of Cove City; Ruth Gooding Smith and husband Eddie of Goldsboro; one brother, Daniel Gooding of Winterville; four grandchildren, Heather Scruggs of Dallas, TX; Stephanie Horton and husband Josh of Carthage, TX; Rebecca Smith of Goldsboro; Jonathan Croom of Cove City; and one great-grandson, Ethan Nathaniel Horton.

He served his country in the U.S. Air Force and he retired from Lance Incorporated. He enjoyed commercial fishing and he was the owner of Marion’s Pecan Cracking. He is preceded in death by his daughter, Marian Glynn Gooding and a son, Louis D. Gooding.

Services will be held at 11:00 am Saturday, December 24, 2011 at Sherwood Forest FWB Church with Rev. John Moran, Rev. Eddie Riddick and Rev. Dann Patrick officiating. Burial will follow at Greenleaf Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 pm Friday, December 23, 2011 at Cotten Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Sherwood Forest FWB Church 2601 Neuse Blvd., New Bern, NC 28562.