Patsy Goyne Obituary

JOHNSON CITY - Patsy Lee Greer Goyne, age 91 of Johnson City, TN, died Sunday, November 26, 2023, after a brief illness at the Johnson City Medical Center.

Her parents were Lee Cylvester Greer, a Johnson City policeman, and Mayme Luster Milhorn, an early businesswoman, in Washington County, TN. Last church attended was First Presbyterian of Elizabethton.

Graduated from East Tennessee State University (College, then) with a B.S. in Chemistry, English/ Math. In the late 1970's, continued education at Steed College to update her accounting and business skills.

She resided in Johnson City until her marriage in 1955 to Edmond W Goyne from Chester, VA, living there until 1976, when family illness forced her to return to Johnson City.

After years of employment as a teachers'-aide and secretarial-type jobs in Chester, the 70s were very hard and employment opportunities were scarce. She worked for H&R Block and got her real estate brokers license. She soon found a home at Rutherford Electric and made many treasured friends there. She became part of the City of Johnson City with her final position as Claims Coordinator for Risk Management, which she truly enjoyed for 21 yrs, retiring in 2013.

Clubs were numerous, always wanting to pitch-in for a cause. She supported the East TN Republican Club, various local womens' clubs, Eastern Star, and Johnson City Sr Center Foundation. She was a key member and contributor to the cause of the MENSA group in Upper East TN, serving as the Loc Sec and Testing Coordinator. She loved any and all things about Williamsburg – supported the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, as well as the Winterthur Guild.

From 2002 to present, she and her friends, and daughter, undertook adventures to explore the world of Native Americans and their Pow Wow events. Friendships formed over the years with several folks at these events, two of those most treasured being, John "Bullet" Standingdeer, Jr. and Dale Cloer of Cherokee, NC.

She recently became part of the Boones Creek Historical Trust Museum and Opry. As a member of the board of directors, she was able to help with the engineering of the paperwork to seek and establish a permanent location at the Keefauver property for this important and special place.

In 2008, she fervently used her home and income for the planning of the meet-and-greets for Congressman David Phil Roe, subscribing to over 20 local newspapers. Jan 2009, she was part of the crew who went with the Roe bus for his swearing-in.

As one can tell, she loved to travel, party and experience everything. In 2011, she was off to England with family, Carol Fair.

She loved all types of gatherings from fireworks to birthdays. Her dearest accomplishments were the gatherings of her Class of '50 in prearranged locations.

Other activities to mention: an avid bridge player for nearly 60 yrs; played the piano; enjoyed gardening, sewing and cooking, always ready to try a new recipe; loved big band music and would take her family to outdoor events at the Carillon in Richmond to savor those moments. This would complement her passion for driving and riding to go see the Preservation Hall Jazz Band Concert at Virginia Intermont, Milligan College and travel to Asheville to hear Tuba Skinny. In 2004, travelled to Baltimore to hear Victor Borge, but he took ill and the theater treated us to "Prairie Home Companion" and the lovely orchestra music accompaniment.

Proceeded in death by her parents, her sister (Margaret Marie-1926) and brother (William Arthur, 1925) and husband (1998). Survivors: one daughter, Robin Goyne Cooper and husband, Raymond Floyd Cooper of Erwin, TN; family, Carol Fair, the Scott Flaherty family and several cousins.

Appalachian Funeral Home overseeing the arrangements.

Her family wishes to express their appreciation to the staff on the 6th floor of the Johnson City Medical Center and the TN Valley Davita for their care and attentiveness during this time of need. Heartfelt thanks go to friends and family, especially Joy Baker and Jim Epps for their love and support.

Family will have a private service with the cremation with a memorial service at a later time. The family requests no flowers, but that memorial donations be made to the Shriners Hospitals for Children

410 N State of Franklin Rd, Ste 130, Johnson City, TN 37604 or to the Boones Creek Historical Trust Museum and Opry, 632 Hales Chapel Rd, Gray, TN 37615. Her generosity and compassion to those in need was known by all those closest to her.

We light a candle for JOY.

This obituary was lovingly written by the family of Patsy Goyne.