Emma Gooch Mays, 80, of Stafford and formerly of Monroe passed away Thursday, February 14, 2019, at Shenandoah Memorial Hospital. She was the wife of the late George Frederick Mays. Born March 6, 1938, in Monroe, she was the daughter of the late Dinsmore Thomas Gooch, Sr. and the late Mary Jane Taylor Gooch.
Emma was a retired psychiatric aide for the Central Virginia Training Center and a member of Monroe United Methodist Church. She also attended First Baptist Church of Woodstock as well as Ebenezer United Methodist Church.
In addition to her husband and parents, Emma was preceded in death by five siblings, Dinsmore Gooch, Jr., Louis Gooch, GF Gooch, Florence Cash and Helen White.
Emma is survived by her two daughters, Ruth Mayo (Alfred) of Stafford and Carol Rhodes (John) of Woodstock; seven grandchildren, Rebecca Saxon, Ricky Saxon (Ashlee), Bethany Saxon (Zach), Brianna Saxon (Mark), Jordan Rhodes, Christina Mayo and Emma Mayo; four great grandchildren, Trevor Lariviere, Landon Bennett, Payton Bennett and Nora Saxon; and other loving family members and friends.
A funeral service will be conducted 3:00 p.m., Sunday, February 17, 2019, at Whitten Monelison Chapel with the Rev. Darryl George officiating. Interment will follow at Amherst Cemetery.
The family will receive friends 5-7 p.m., Saturday, February 16, 2019, at Whitten Monelison Chapel.
Memorial contributions may be made to Amherst Cares or First Baptist Church of Woodstock Community Meals Mission-116 Lakeview Dr., Woodstock, VA 22664.
To send online condolences to the family, please visit www.whittenmonelison.com.
Whitten Monelison Chapel is serving the family, (434) 929-5712.
