Dora Virginia (Carroll) Goforth

Mrs. Dora Viginia Carroll Goforth “Sweet Dora”, age 91 of Statesville went home to be with the Lord Tuesday, November 7, 2023, at Autumn Care of Iredell.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM Saturday, November 11, 2023, at Reins-Sturdivant Chapel with Pastor David M. Key officiating.  The family will receive friends from 1:00 PM until 2:00 PM prior to the service at Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home.  Burial will be in Lewis Fork Baptist Church Cemetery.

She was born April 5, 1932, in Wilkes County to Wiley Herman Carroll and Ida Lillian Cardwell Carroll. 

Dora leaves behind a legacy of love and compassion, and her memory will forever be cherished by her family and friends.  Her life was a tapestry of dedication and passion.  As a lifelong seamstress who brought beauty and artistry to countless lives through her intricate work. As an instructor for Wilkes Community College, she generously shared her knowledge and skills, nurturing the talents of others and ensuring her craft would continue to flourish for generations to come.

Dora was not only skilled with a needle and thread but also had a profound talent for music. For most of her life, she graced her church and community with her piano playing, filling the sanctuary with the sweet melodies of her heart. Her music was a gift that enriched the spiritual lives of many.  In addition to reading music, she could play by ear and was able to memorize countless songs even back to when she was a small child, singing and playing music with her Daddy.  Dora had a beautiful singing voice, and she loves singing hymns and singing children's songs to her great grandchildren.

A devout and devoted woman, Dora was deeply involved in her church community. Her faith was the cornerstone of her life, and she found great joy in contributing her time and talents to the church.

Beyond her many talents, Dora had a heart full of love for animals. Her compassion extended to the four-legged friends who were fortunate to know her. She was an advocate for their well-being, and her nurturing spirit shone brightly in her interactions with animals of all kinds.

Dora's interests were as diverse as her talents. She had a passion for Westerns and a deep admiration for Native American culture. Her appreciation for these aspects of history and culture added depth and richness to her life, and she shared her enthusiasm with those around her.

Dora Goforth's journey on this Earth may have come to an end, but her memory and the love she shared with her family and community will live on in the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing her. She leaves behind a remarkable legacy of love, dedication, and creativity.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Ulysses Alvin Goforth; two sisters, Ann Hendrix and Shirley Wyatt; three brothers, Jones Carroll, Clyde Carroll, Paul Carroll; two brothers-in-law, Jim Lovette and Tom Hendrix.

She is survived by one daughter, Linda Loyd and husband Dorman of Statesville; one grandchild, Bryan Loyd and wife Tabatha of Statesville; three great grandchildren, Lucian Loyd, Winter Loyd and John Ryker Loyd of Statesville; five sisters, Brenda Wilson and husband Ken of Statesville, Colean Lovette of Wilkesboro, Frances Key and husband David of North Wilkesboro, Kay Sebastian and husband Ken of Moravian Falls; one brother-in-law, James Wyatt of Boone, and many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank Autumn Care of Iredell and Hospice for their loving care of Mrs. Dora during her time there.

Flowers will be accepted, or memorials may be made to Hospice of Iredell, 2347 Simonton Road, Statesville, NC  28625.

Online condolences may be made to www.reinssturdivant.com.  

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Dora Virginia (Carroll) Goforth, please visit our floral store.