Marie Bergin Goff

Services for Marie Wilhite Bergin Goff, 93, will be at 4 p.m. Thursday, June 11, 2015, at Moss Service Funeral Home, with visitation from 2 to 4 p.m., Revs. David Palmer and Kevin Wilburn officiating, with burial in Mt. Zion Cemetery.

Mrs. Goff left her earthly residence to her heavenly residence Monday, June 8. She was originally from Vinemont and was a veteran who served in the military from 1941-1943 at Camp Kilmer, New Jersey.

From 1952-1964, she worked as a reporter, columnist, photographer, feature writer, editor of Women’s pages, office manager, and accountant for The Cullman Times newspaper. She received her college degree in English from St. Bernard College in 1961, and she received her master’s degree in journalism from the University of Alabama in 1969.

After obtaining her degrees, her career included begin an English teacher at Cullman High School, Director of Public Relations and Journalism at Sacred Heart College, Director of Public Relations at Mobile College, and Associate Director of Public Relations and Director of Publications at Columbus College in Columbus, Georgia.

Marie then moved to Snellville, Georgia, where she and her husband were founding members of Westminster Presbyterian Church. Marie was active in her church as an elder, teaching an adult Sunday School class and doing whatever she was called upon to do. She was active in the American Legion Post where she served in many capacities.

She wrote and edited newsletters and served as a member of many boards and committees. She was a senior columnist for the Gwinnett Daily Post. She also served as president of the Board of Directors of the Gwinnett Council for Seniors.

Following a decline in her health, Marie returned to Cullman in 2010 with a lifetime of hard work, accomplishments and memories.

Marie was predeceased by her parents, C.H. and Zella Wilhite; her husband, Steve Goff; and her sister, Frances (”Dutch”) Nearen.

She is survived by her daughter, Rita (Dr. John) Nielsen; granddaughter, Susan (Bryan) Bowen; grandson, Jason Nielsen; great-grandsons, Carter, Cooper and Cross Bowen; sisters, Maybel (Arthur) Apel, Frieda (Don) Perry, Dot (Charles) Duke and Joan (Frank) Duke; a brother, Larry (Gladys) Wilhite; and a host of nieces and nephews.

The family of Marie would especially like to thank Dr. Mike Hall, his nurse, Paulette Trimble, and Tracy Kimbrough of CRMC Hospice for their tender care. Also, for their loving care, the family thanks her caregivers, Diane Green, Brenda Ward, Pamela Phillips, Sharon Hite, Judy Crandal and Martha Todd.