Nancy Goforth

Nancy Ottenfeld Goforth passed away on February 28, 2017 of natural causes in Bristol, VA at age 93. She was born on Sept. 4, 1923 in Richmond, Indiana to Conrad and Helen Ottenfeld. As a child, Nancy lived in Phoenix, AZ and Ann Arbor, MI where she graduated from Ann Arbor High School in 1941. She excelled in tennis.
After high school the family moved to Bristol, TN, where her father worked at Faucett's Department Store and her mother became a noted speech therapist. Due to Nancy's study of chemistry in high school/college she secured a job at Eastman Kodak Company assembling munitions for the WWII war effort.
Nancy attended East Tennessee State Teachers College (now East Tennessee State University), where she met Joseph O. Goforth, Jr., of Erwin, TN. They married in 1944 when Joe returned from 55 missions as a B-25 bomber pilot in the South Pacific.
Nancy followed her husband during his career in the Air Force to March Field, CA, Germany, Eglin AFB, FL, Japan, NY and finally Keesler AFB in Biloxi, MS, while raising 4 children. When family life allowed, Nancy joined the work force again and spent 22 years as the Executive Assistant to the administrator of Gulfport Memorial Hospital. She retired in 1986.
Nancy was an excellent cook and entertained her guests and friends with her repertoire of German, Japanese, Cajun and Creole dishes. She acquired flower arranging skills in Japan and regularly decorated her home with azaleas and a multitude of flowers from her natural gardens. She and Joe enjoyed the Gulf Coast for over 45 years, dancing, playing bridge, tennis and dining at their favorite spots.
Nancy was a devoted mother and grandmother, participating in her children's activities, leading Cub Scout and Girl Scout troops, and attending her children's sports activities. She made sure that her ever growing family spent vacation time together at Gulf Shores AL and Orange Beach, FL.
Nancy was predeceased by her cherished husband, Joe, of 64 years in 2008 and beloved granddaughter, Katelyn Goforth in 2005.
Nancy is survived by brothers, Neil Ottenfeld (Betty) of Kingsport, TN, Bruce Ottenfeld (Marie) of Bend, OR, and Keith Ottenfeld (Pam) of Anchorage, AK. Also surviving are her daughters, Nancy Perry (Bud) of Redlands, CA, Susan Cooley (Dan) of Monument, CO; sons Bruce Goforth (Melissa) of Salida, CO, and Joseph Brian Goforth (Denise) of Bristol, TN; as well as 8 grandchildren , 7 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren.
A graveside service will be held on March 20, 2017 at Biloxi National Cemetery at 10:00am. RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 11280 Three Rivers Rd., Gulfport is serving the family.
Donations may be sent to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (AL Chapter), American Heart Association or flowers may be sent to Riemann's Funeral Home in Gulfport, MS.
An online guestbook may be signed and memories shared at www.riemannfamily.com.