I just heard that you have begun your journey home. I am devastated, eyes watered, and unsure what to say. You are family and a special friend. You are loved and will be missed by your family and friends. I am remembering our discussions about the Goins, McCuen, Mayle, Stevens, Adams in Virginia and West Virginia. We set up the family.com site and it went good for years, now it is on Spokt and doing well. You were working on getting me a new password to the site. You are an excellent researcher and the thought of you being gone is like the old African proverb ” a library burns to the ground.”
I enjoyed seeing you and your son in Ft. Wayne, during the first International Black Genealogy Summit back in 2009. We shared our notes, our walls, and our common ancestors. We had the best time when you and your parents visited my brother in Bear Lake, Michigan. It was like we all knew each other for years, it was sharing and building our family stories. We also shared our medical issues, our beloved hearts, and the things we have endured. It was amazing at Todd’s how much you and cousin Rita looked like twins. We all were amazed. With a heavy heart I let Todd and others know of your passing. Your contributions are stellar showing your life’s work of preserving the family histories.
There is nothing more I can say about you Irita. I hope others will view your work and what you have laid your hands on. You have contributed so much to others on their genealogy paths; it will be hard to let you go. But I have to say I feel I have another angel watching over me. Thank you! You are everything Goins! Love you!
Beautiful post, Shelley. I’m sorry for your loss.
Renate
Thank you Renate, it is a sad day.
Whoa, I am speechless!
Total shock and unexpected! I just gasped when I was told. She will be missed.It makes me so nervous about my health. We just don’t have time.
Thank you for this wonderful tribute to Irita. I am shocked – and so sorry to hear of her passing. We shared many happy hours doing family researches and now she is among the ancestors.
Rest in peace sweet sister.
Denise
Beautiful