Professor Thelma Marie Eldred Goold

Professor Thelma Marie Eldred Goold passed to her Lord and Redeemer, March 17, 2015. Thelma was born in Lakeview, Michigan, to the late Virgil Eldred and Doris Bowen Eldred. Her sister, Marcenia Eldred Sumner, preceded her in death. Thelma is survived by her husband of 50 years, Dr. William C. Goold and two sons, Mark William Goold (wife, Dr. Evelyn Ho) and Sean Matthew Goold (wife, Heather Berlin Goold). She is remembered as a faithful, always supportive wife and a generous, loving mother.

Thelma earned degrees from Vennard College, Western Michigan University and the University of Kentucky. For thirty-seven years she served with distinction as Professor of Social Work at Asbury University, Wilmore, KY, where, for many years she also chaired the Department of Human Services. As Department Chair, Thelma actively pursued and completed necessary departmental self-study requirements for certification by NASW, the National Association of Social Work. Among other professional associations, Thelma actively participated in the National Association of Christians in Social Work (NACSW) and American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC). From early childhood, Christ was her passion; people were her focused ministry. Numerous social work graduates of Asbury University, actively employed nationally and internationally, evidence her deep commitment to vital, effective classroom teaching and her personal interest in her students. As a trained leader, for many years she led married couples through a structured Marriage Enrichment experience. She, with her husband Bill, led over 400 engaged to be married couples through Engaged Discovery Weekend. For 27 years she actively served as a member of the Board of Trustees of OMS International (One Mission Society), in Greenwood, IN. Humble and modest in demeanor, she was gifted and graced with insight, wisdom and a rapport often directed towards persons at the margins of life. Her family is grateful for the loving care given to Thelma at the close of her life, by numerous friends.

Throughout extended illness preceding her death, clergy and staff from several area churches faithfully visited and attended to her. Nurses, doctors and staff at Baptist Health administered skilled, professional care. A service of praise and the worship of God, celebrating Thelma's resurrection and well-lived life, will be held Monday, March 23, 4:00 PM, at Estes Chapel, Asbury Theological Seminary, Wilmore, KY. Visitation begins at 3:00 PM in the chapel. She will be buried at LaPorte Cemetery, LaPorte, MI. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be sent to OMS International, 941 Fry Road, P.O. Box A, Greenwood, IN 46142 (www.onemissionsociety.org)

Visitation:
Visitation begins at 3:00 PM in the chapel

Funeral:
Monday, March 23, 4:00 PM, at Estes Chapel, Asbury Theological Seminary, Wilmore, KY

Interment:
LaPorte Cemetery, LaPorte, MI