On Saturday, April 1, 2023, Heaven called home its good and faithful servant, Eula Mae Ellis Goodwin. A true woman of God, she loved nothing more than to minister to all who were willing to receive a word from her joyous demeanor. Born April 12, 1929 to Wiley and Fannie Ellis, Eula was the oldest daughter and the second oldest of their seven children. Although petite in stature, her glowing and enormous spirit could fill the biggest of rooms. She had a unique way of making everyone around her smile and captivate them with her wonderful stories of her childhood, missionary work and family travels. First Lady Goodwin was passionate in her service and dedication to doing the Lord's work. By the side of her husband of over 55 years, Reverend Dr. James Goodwin, they would serve church families at Reynolds Temple CME Church, Winston-Salem, NC; Calvary CME Church, New York, NY; Mt. Olive Christian Church, Concord, NC; Logan Chapel, Charlotte, NC and Langford Chapel, Monroe, NC. During his tenure as Presiding Elder, they would work graciously to extend the reach of the CME mission and traveled abroad as far as London and Africa to spread God's message. As former President of the National Missionary Council, Eula Mae would develop, organize and oversee projects of giving and worship across the contiguous US and the Caribbean assisting in touching the lives of thousands in need.

Second only to her love for spreading the gospel, was her love for children. After completing her studies in the Winston Salem/Forsyth County Schools, Eula Mae would go on to educate and engage young minds for over 25 years as a lead teacher and supervisor at some of the city's best preschools including Saint Paul United Methodist and Northwest Child Development. When she wasn't ministering or teaching, "Aunt Mae", could be found with her family on the road vacationing, in the kitchen making her famous red velvet cake or at your closest boutique. As a woman of impeccable taste, she enjoyed looking and feeling her best. Those who knew her well knew that there wasn't much that God's hand and a little shopping therapy could not fix.

Awaiting her at Glory's Gates, are her husband, James; daughter, Deborah Davis (Earl); mother and father, Wiley and Fannie Ellis; sisters, Mary Lee Ellis and Willie Joyce Martin; and her brothers, Richard, Robert, Wilbert and Melvin Ellis.

Remaining to celebrate her life and legacy are her granddaughter, Nicole Davis; great-grandsons, Nayshawn Davis and David McCorkle, Jr.; great-granddaughters, Nashia Davis and Dayonna McCorkle; nieces, Deidre Martin Coleman (Michael), Charita Martin Ward (Tony), and Rosalind Graham; nephews, Elijah Graham, Jr. and Michael Graham (Tamara); great-nieces, Deidre Minga (Keith), Kristen Johnson (Freddie), and Candace Martin; great-nephews, Jadyn Coleman, Ian Coleman, Evan Dunlap, CJ Whitfield and Dallas Fritz; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, colleagues and dear friends.

A viewing will be held from 1:00pm until 5:00pm Tuesday, April 11, 2023 at Russell Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00pm Wednesday, April 12, 2023 at Mt. Sinai AME Zion Church, 488 Peoples Creek Rd. Advance, NC 27006.  Interment will follow in the Mt. Sinai AME Zion Church Cemetery.  The family visitation will be held from 1:30pm until 2:00pm on Wednesday at the Church.