Irene T. Gooding

Irene Gooding, of North Kingstown, went to be with the Lord she loved on April 22, 2016. She was born in Newport News, Virginia on August 4, 1922, the only child of Ned “Woody” Thomas and Nannie Lee Owen Thomas. A graduate of Newport News High School, Irene was a secretary in the Civil Service during World War II. She was married to the love of her life, the late Reverend Robert Gooding, for fifty-seven years. Together, they had three children; Darlene (John) Gibson, Faith (Gary) Hudson. Irene was predeceased by their son, Robert (Cheryl) Gooding.
Irene worked tirelessly beside her husband in the ministry at Apponaug Pentecostal Church. For almost forty years, she served as the church secretary and also as its organist. She was an outstanding hostess, and delighted in opening the doors of the family home to countless guests from all over the world.
Irene was the true matriarch of her family. She instilled her deep faith in each of her children. A very accomplished individual in her own right, she delighted in telling people that she held three college degrees, because she had typed every college paper her three children had written.
Irene truly believed that grandchildren were the blessing of a life well lived. There was no limit to her love for her precious Carrie, Greg, Jonathan, Brent, Jordan, Ethan, and Taylor. She was also blessed to be the great grandmother of six.
Irene’s children are grateful for the life of this wonderful woman. We honor her for her commitment to her family, and more importantly, to her faith. We have never minded sharing our mother with countless children in the faith. We have heard from so many of you in the days since her passing. It only adds to the gratitude we feel to have had such a wonderful mother. Our mother is with the Lord she loved, and we know that she is waiting for us to spend eternity with her. She taught us the way. She gave us the directions.
A Celebration of her life will be held Thursday at 10:00am at Cranston Christian Fellowship, 1114 Scituate Ave., Cranston. Visitation will be Wednesday 5-8pm at the Hill Funeral Home, 822 Main St., East Greenwich. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Heritage Christian Fellowship, 358 Warwick Neck Ave., Warwick, RI 02889.