Mozelle O'Briant Goodwin

Mozelle Carr O’Briant Goodwin died in the early morning hours of Friday January 6, 2017 in Athens, Georgia where she lived near her daughter. Born to Samuel O’Briant and Mary King in Durham, North Carolina on May 25, 1924, Mozelle was a child of the Great Depression. In those “enlightened” days, school books were confiscated if you did not pay your book rent. There was never enough money for book rent and food and oftentimes food was scarce as well. Mozelle borrowed books from classmates to do her homework, if she agreed to do theirs also. She resisted pressure from family to quit school and go to work. She persevered through financial hardship to graduate from high school and marry the love of her life, Herbert T. Goodwin, who graduated a year ahead. Herbert had a job and bought her a graduation dress. World War II intervened and Herbert was in the Army when their daughter was born. Herbert returns home after four years, they have a son and begin the process of making a life and a home for themselves and two children in Durham, North Carolina. Life can be a hard teacher and the Great Depression taught them the value of education, hard work and planning for financial security. Herbert and Mozelle moved to Athens, Georgia in 1985 after retirement in order to be near their children and grandchildren. Herbert died September 7, 2003 and Mozelle moved into a retirement community in Athens. Mozelle is survived by two children, Shelby Jean (Jeani) Goodwin of Athens, H.Truett Goodwin, Jr. (Sharon), two grandchildren, Jessica Price (TJ) and Dr. Jeremy Goodwin (Lisa) and five great grandchildren, all of whom reside in Monroe County.  Graveside services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, January 8, 2017, in the Goodwin Family Cemetery, 4561 Hwy 42 N, Forsyth, GA 31029, officiated by The Reverend Marilyn McKelvey Tucker-Marek, pastor of the Forsyth Presbyterian Church. Memorials may be sent to Forsyth Presbyterian Church, 63 N Jackson Street, Forsyth, GA 31029 in "Memory of Mozelle Carr O’Briant Goodwin".  Monroe County Memorial Chapel has charge of arrangements.