Paul Edward Gooden

Paul Edward Gooden, age 91 of Kingsport, was welcomed into Heaven by his Heavenly Father during the morning hours of December 20, 2015. Even with his passing, Paul’s sweet smile and kind wave of his hand will be remembered by those who were blessed to know him. Paul was born to the late Samuel William Gooden and the late Lula Mae McDavid Gooden on August 21, 1924 in Kingsport, TN. On July 1, 1949 Paul married his most precious friend and love of his life, Josephine Barnett, and after 52 years of a beautiful life together, she preceded him in death on May 12, 2002.

Paul proudly served his country during WW II. He served in the United States Army and he fought bravely in the European Campaign. He fought in many major battles and he was severely wounded in one battle in which he received a Purple Heart. Paul retired from Holston Defense and was a master brick mason and carpenter; still to this day you can drive the streets of Sullivan County and you can see his masterpieces throughout the area. Paul loved his family and friends. He was a man of great compassion; and his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren were most precious to him.

Paul is preceded in death by his parents; his loving wife, Josephine Barnett Gooden; one brother, Samuel William Gooden, Jr.; and one sister, Carrie Lee Burns. He is survived by three daughters, Charlotte Carter and husband Jack, Delores Phillips and husband Sam, and Karen O’Neal Lyall and husband Shane; grandchildren, Jessica and Rusty Davidson, Jason Phillips and Brandy Adams, Melissa and John Taylor, Mark O’Neal, Kenny and Kendra O’Neal, Kevin and Stephanie O’Neal, Seth Lyall, Rachel Lyall, Bailey Lyall, and Grayson Lyall; four great grandchildren, Colton Davidson, Kaleigh O’Neal, Riley O’Neal, and Kallee O’Neal; two sisters, Edith Newland and Lena Newland; two brothers in law, Thomas Barnett and wife Faye and Doug Drinnon; two sisters in law, Liz Jones and Betty Addington; several nieces and nephews; and caregivers, Kathy Marlow Wallen, Connie Brickey, Susan Mowdy, Jim Devault, and Savannah Martin; and special friends, Patty Kirby of Hayes, VA , Bobby and Sylvia Rotenberry, Teresa Hicks, Rita Burke, Becky,Mark, and Makenna Debord, and Kathy and Paul Parris.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, December 22, 2015 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at East Lawn Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at 7:00 p.m. immediately following visitation in the Chapel of East Lawn Funeral Home with Pastors David Newland, Andy Sensabaugh, and Troy Daily officiating.

There will be a Military Honor’s Graveside service on Wednesday, December 23, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. in the Garden of Cristus of East Lawn Memorial Park. Military Honors will be provided by the Kingsport American Legion Post 3/265.

Serving as pallbearers will be Jason Phillips, Shane Lyall, Kenny O’Neal, Mark O’Neal, Jim Devault and John Taylor. Honorary pallbearers will be Bobby Rotenberry, Jack Carter, Sam Phillips and Kevin O’Neal.

The family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Disabled American Veterans # 38 located at 233 Pioneer Haven Ln, Kingsport, TN 37663,

(423)-239-0082 or the charity of your choice.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.eastlawnkingsport.com. East Lawn Funeral Home and Memorial Park has the honor of serving the family.