Marie Scaff Goolsby, age 86, of Jasper, Fla.,passed away at home on Dec. 9, 2020. Marie was born Sept. 4, 1934 to the late Stafford and Elsie Scaff. As the matriarch of her family, Marie was the epitome of a Proverbs 31 wife and mother. She exuded strength, joy, love and grace. Despite battling cancer since 1995, Marie never complained and always had an encouraging word for those around her. She loved others with the kind of love that overflowed from a deep wellspring that was a testament to her walk with Christ. Her children recount that they would often awake when they were young to find her in her chair studying her Bible and the Sunday School lesson she would teach that week by lamplight. Marie loved to cook and spent many hours standing over her stove donning her favorite apron and a big smile. Known for her fried okra, chicken and rice, mushroom gravy and cinnamon rolls, her family never visited without receiving a meal fit for royalty -- and anyone who ever had the privilege of pulling up a seat to her table can attest that everything always tasted better coming from her kitchen. When asked what her secret was, she always said, "love is the secret ingredient to any dish I've ever prepared." That same ingredient is the secret to the legacy she leaves: loving God and loving others well. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers, Lester Scaff and Richard Scaff, and her grandson, Justin Goolsby. She was an active member and served faithfully at New Hope Baptist Church until her health no longer permitted. Survivors include her husband of nearly 66 years, David Goolsby; one brother, Gary Scaff (Teresa) of Hosford, FL; her two sons, David Goolsby, Jr. (Karen) and Clay Goolsby of Jasper; two daughters, Shari Boyette (Mike) of Live Oak and Kristi Combass (Dorrell) of Jasper; four granddaughters: Jennifer Watson (Jimmy) of Jasper, Adrienne Boyette of Live Oak, Leslie Ann Carroll (Aspen) of Jasper and Mackenzie Combass of Jasper; and two great-granddaughters, Kyla Watson and Elsie Kate Carroll both of Jasper. Private graveside services were held on Saturday, Dec. 12 at New Hope Baptist Church with Reverend Harold Reams officiating. Should you wish to make a memorial contribution, the family asks you honor her mission to spread the gospel by donating to the Gideons at Gideons International, 1342 Coliseum Ave, Live Oak, Fla., 32064 or online at www.sendtheword.org. Harry T. Reid Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
