Mary Christene “Chris” Mitchell Goins
Obituaries
 By  Staff Reports Published 
5:06 pm Friday, January 29, 2021

Mary Christene “Chris” Mitchell Goins

Mary Christene “Chris” Mitchell Goins, 85, of Tuscumbia passed to her heavenly home Jan. 29. She was born July 21, 1935, to Gain and Velma Dessie Devaney Mitchell.

Visitation will be Feb. 1 at Colbert Memorial Chapel from noon to 2 p.m. with the funeral service to follow at 2 p.m. in the chapel. Entombment will be in Franklin Memory Gardens.

Chris Goins could often be found with a fishing pole, bringing in more fish than Pop, or traveling the country visiting family and seeing all that the U.S. had to offer, many times with her brother Arlie and his wife Minnie.  She also loved sharing that experience with her grandchildren and took many of them on these adventures as well.

She lived many places over her lifetime, but no matter where she landed, she always made her house a home. All were welcome, and none ever left hungry or without many new stories to tell. She always made sure to have a garden, and her flowers were the prettiest around.

She loved all of her babies and spoiled them to no end. She and her husband encouraged and supported many of their grandchildren through their educations.

In later years she could still be found with that fishing pole, but she also enjoyed putting together a good puzzle or admiring the birds that frequented her yard. She loved the Lord and was of the Church of God faith.

She will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her.

Chris is survived by the love of her life, her husband James Gordon Goins Sr., to whom she was married for 43 years; her sons, Randy (Nancy) Strickland and Larry (Regina) Strickland; stepdaughters Yvetta (Albert) Harris and Ninka (Frankie) Elliott; stepson James Jr. (Debbie) Goins; grandchildren, Wayne (Karen) Harris, Josh (Ester) Harris, Myranda (Adam) Putman, Cindy Elliott, John (Alicia) Elliott, Nathan (Amy) Strickland, Leah (Seneca) Anderson, Leisa (Scott) McCullough, Sam (Haley) Strickland and James Goins III; 16 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and three brothers, one sister and a host of nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Gain and Velma Mitchell, as well as several brothers and sisters.

Brother Micah Jackson will be officiating, with Colbert Memorial assisting the family.

Her pallbearers will be John Elliott, Sam Strickland, James Goins III and Brennan, Chandler, and Nick Harris. Honorary pallbearers will be Nathan Strickland, Wayne Harris and Josh Harris.

In lieu of flowers the family wishes donations to be made in her honor to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Please know that all COVID guidelines will be followed, and we ask you to wear a mask.

Also on Franklin County Times
Dowdy sentencing delayed due to medical emergency
News, Russellville, Z - News Main
By Brady Petree For the FCT 
January 7, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — The sentencing of Brandy Dowdy will have to wait until another day after her defense attorney suffered a “medical emergency” on Tuesday...
Legislative session opens Jan. 13; Kiel prefiles 2 bills
Main, News, Russellville, ...
By Addi Broadfoot For the FCT 
January 7, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE -- State Rep. Jamie Kiel has prefiled two bills ahead of the 2026 Alabama legislative session. The bills, which will be considered when l...
Hollimon reflects on 40 years in education
Main, News, Russellville, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
January 7, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE – Dr. Deanna Hollimon always felt she was called to be an educator. After 40 years as a teacher, reading coach, administrator and educati...
Firefighters train for vehicle rescues
News, Russellville, Z - News Main
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
January 7, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — City firefighters trained last week on how to stabilize overturned vehicles and remove trapped occupants. Fire Chief Joe Mansell said t...
Neighbors helping neighbors, one soda pop tab at a time
Columnists, Opinion
HERE AND NOW
January 7, 2026
Most people don’t think twice about the small aluminum tab on top of a soda can. But those tiny pieces of metal have quietly helped families stay clos...
2025: A year of results for Alabama families
Columnists, Opinion
January 7, 2026
The past year has certainly been a memorable one — and, more importantly, a rewarding one. Beginning the year by leading the Laken Riley Act through t...
Author’s collapse was motivation for comeback
News
Chelsea Retherford For the FCT 
January 7, 2026
When Pete Key collapsed on the bathroom floor in 2024, it didn’t feel like a turning point. It felt like an ending. He had been sick for days — dehydr...
Phil Campbell’s Elliott hits 1,000th career point
High School Sports, Phil Campbell Bobcats, Sports
Bart Moss For the FCT 
January 7, 2026
The Phil Campbell Bobcats kicked off the 2026 calendar year in style Saturday night, securing a decisive 54-37 victory over the visiting Belgreen Bull...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *