Melzola Gooch May 28, 1931 - November 2, 2023

Mother Melzola Gooch was born May 28, 1931, to Zebedee Sr. and Ruby Mae Johnson (Easterling) in Greenville, Alabama. She departed this life on November 2, 2023, while the song "Take Me to the King" was playing with Tamala Mann and Kirk Franklin after a lengthy illness.

The family moved from Alabama to Dayton, OH, a few years after her mother died (mom at age 9), with Zebedee's new wife Clara. Melzola finished elementary school and attended Roosevelt High School. She met Hubert Nelson Gooch while in Dayton where they attended Tabernacle Church of God in Christ (COGIC), Pastor, Marshall Stone. They were married in November 1955 and moved to Cincinnati, OH in 1956.

While in Cincinnati she attended several churches with her husband who was an Evangelist. She was a faithful and loving wife, mother, church member, and friend. She loved God, her husband, and her family. She enjoyed spreading the Gospel, singing and playing the piano, and helping others. You could find her reading the Bible, her Sunday School lesson, working puzzle books, or watching one of her favorite TV game shows. Her favorite game was Scrabble. She served as a Sunday School Teacher at James Temple COGIC/District Missionary in COGIC for several years. She served as one of the church mothers at Turning Point Pentecostal Church.

She furthered her education by receiving her High School Diploma and Business School Diploma while serving as wife and mother. Holding positions as cook, receptionist, office assistant, and data entry clerk.

She was preceded in death by her parents, stepmother, brothers: Eddie James, Willie J., Zebedee Jr, Wilson Easterling, sisters: Essie Bush, Armazer Bush, Era Jamison, her husband, Hubert Gooch, her son: Michael Trocadero Gooch.

She leaves to cherish her memory: son, Calvin Gooch (Denean); daughter, Coleen Winburn (Charles); grandchildren: Charlene Winburn, Charity Winburn, and Joseph Winburn; brothers: LV, Veston, and Nathaniel, stepbrothers and sisters, stepchildren, and multiple spiritual sons and daughters; as well as a host of great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

The family wishes to express their sincere thanks and appreciation for the many prayers, thoughtful words, flowers, visits, and acts of kindness shown to our mother, especially during her illness and our bereavement. Thank you and may God bless you. We leave you with one of her favorite songs:

Hold to His Hand

Now let us hold to His hand

God's unchanging hand

Build your hopes on things eternal

Hold to God's unchanging hand

Time is filled with swift transitions

None, on earth unmoved can stand

Build your hopes on things eternal

And then Hold, onto God's unchanging hand

Songwriter: Percy E. Gray

To share a memory of   Melzola or leave a special message for the  Gooch family, please click the "Tribute Wall" tab above and to the right, enter the information, and click "Save Post."

Walker Funeral Home, family-owned and operated,  is honored to serve the Gooch family.  Please call 513.251.6200 or visit www.HerbWalker.com for additional information.