Deacon Fate Goodwin

Obituary: Deacon Fate Goodwin went to be with our Heavenly Father Early Saturday morning, June 24, 2018, at the age of 85. He transitioned while in the care of Palmetto Health Hospice, while being cared for by CCU/ICU Nursing Staff of Palmetto Health Richland Heart Hospital. Deacon Goodwin was born March 2, 1933 to Sam, Sr. and Victoria Brown Goodwin, Gadsden, SC. At the age of 6, he gave his life to Christ and was baptized at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Eastover, South Carolina. Growing up he was educated at Webber School in Eastover, SC. At the age of 14, he started playing small town league baseball. He played with the Eastover Red Sox from 1947-1990. He was known for his pitching and playing short stop. He was also known as "Tough Man" "Heavy Hitter" and "Babe." Even at the ages of 66 through 77, and 80, he still played baseball with the Blue Jays and several other small town teams. Baseball was his Heart. He enjoyed playing baseball with a special grandson, Devon Goodwin, Sr. November 28, 1955, at the age of 22, he enlisted in the United States Army and served for two years. While serving, he was an MP transferring soldiers all over the world. He was honorably discharged from active duty November 27, 1957. On July 27, 1962, he was united in Holy Matrimony to his devoted wife of 55 years, Mrs. Eartha Hipps Goodwin. They went on to build a house and have three wonderful daughters. At their home is where he gardened year round and was a handyman by trade. He loved the outdoors and could fix whatever he got his hands on. He would always lend a helping hand around community. He worked for Ferguson Enterprise which was located downtown Columbia, SC for forty-five years before retiring in 1999. He sold plumbing supplies and delivered pipes to buildings that are now standing tall in Columbia's metropolitan area today. January 19, 1992, he was ordained as a Deacon at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Eastover, SC. He loved to serve the Lord and the community. He was a Sunday school teacher and was on the treasury board at his church. He continued to serve as Deacon and Sunday school teacher until his health started to decline. April 2017, he was diagnosed with colorectal cancer. After several treatments of radiation and chemotherapy, he became Cancer FREE. His inspiration to get through radiation and chemotherapy was his special granddaughter, Peyton Goodwin, "Big P." After being cancer free, he was faced with several other health complications but was resolved. June 23, 2018, it took a turn for the worse and he lost his battle of life here on earth, to gain his wings to be with our Heavenly Father in Heaven. Deacon Goodwin lived an Amazing, Blessed, and Prosperous life all eighty-five years on this earth with many family and friends that he shared it with. He will be deeply missed by us all. Left behind to cherish his precious memory are: his loving wife of fifty-five years, Eartha Hipps Goodwin, of Eastover, SC; three daughters, Yvette Henry, of Hopkins, SC, Annette Walker, of Greenville, SC, and Hope Goodwin, of Columbia, SC; four grandchildren, Devon, Sr., Indigo, Victoria, and Peyton; great-grandchildren, Caydence, Devon, Jr., and Teagan; a host of brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, family, and friends. Services: Funeral services for Deacon Fate Goodwin will be held 11:00 a.m. Thursday, June 28, 2018 at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Eastover, SC with burial to follow in the church cemetery. A visitation will be held Wednesday from 3:00-8:00 p.m. and the family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the JP Holley Funeral Home, Garners Ferry Road Chapel.