Lois Jenkins Goforth

AIKEN, SC – LOIS JENKINS GOFORTH, 96, widow of Charles Wesley Goforth, died Saturday, September 24, 2016 at Aiken Regional Medical Centers. A graveside service will be held at 3:00 PM Saturday, October 1, 2016 in Bethany Cemetery.      A native of Columbia, SC, Lois was a daughter of the late James Earle and Estelle McAteer Jenkins. She made Aiken her home since 1965. Those who knew her will remember her for her big heart, her great generosity, her love of a good party, and her skill at the bridge table. Poker-playing residents of Cumberland Village will remember her as “Sharkey Goforth.” She will also be remembered for her stories. Among the most moving will always be her harrowing experience as a young Army wife, five months pregnant with her first child, at the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Though she would recount that experience with light-hearted humor, we knew that behind the laughter was a woman of tremendous courage and resilience. (For those interested in her account, go to http://www.thestate.com/news/local/military/article14416532.html to read “Columbia native looks back at the attack on Pearl Harbor” from The State newspaper.) Lois is survived by her daughter, Diane Samsel (Hans Picard), Tryon, NC; her son, Jim Samsel (Ginnie), Aiken; three grandchildren, Monica Baltz, Kim Wolfe, Kirk Samsel; four great-grandchildren, Steven Walling, Julian Walling, Terra Wolfe, Tarra Wolfe. In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her sisters, Dorothy Warneke and Betty Jenkins. The family would like to thank Vanessa Breaker and the wonderful staff of Cumberland Village for taking such loving care of her. SHELLHOUSE FUNERAL HOME, 924 HAYNE AVE., AIKEN, SC Visit the online guestbook at www.shellhousefuneralhome.com To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Lois Jenkins Goforth, please visit our flower store.