First Lady Rosa M. Goins

Mother Rosa Goins was born in Suffolk, Virginia on October 15, 1940 to the late Joseph T. Harding Sr and the late Beatrice Harding.  Mother Rose completed her education in the public-school system and graduated from East Suffolk High School in 1959.  She was a good student and was involved with the Future Business Leaders of America. As soon as she graduated from high school, Rosa moved to Philadelphia to be near her big brother Charles and sister-in-law/childhood friend, Margaret for more opportunities.  She worked for several years as a pattern maker for the Singer Coat Factory.

In April of 1963, Mother Rose met her soon to be groom Leonard Goins when he was home on leave as he served in the United States Army.  Seven months later, the two were married on November 30, 1963.  From this perfect union, was born four children – Carole Lynne, Vivian Marie, Leonard Council Jr., and Gloria Bernadette.  Mother Rose had the opportunity to travel with her husband all over the world and country as he served in the United States Army until he retired in August 1968.  Upon retirement, they moved back to Philadelphia with their two daughters right before their son, Lenny was born.

While her children were small, Mother Rose cared for other children in her home.  Some children were with her for short periods of times and others as needed.  Mother Rose was nurturing and loved having children around her.  Caring for children was truly her calling.  She loved teaching too!  Mother Rose taught her children how to cook, sew and bargain shop!  Couponing was her thing and she even made window shopping a fun activity.  She also made sure to bake a cake on your birthday to celebrate another year of life.  Once her biological children were school aged, Mother Rose started working outside the home.  She worked for a few years at Sears.  But her truly calling made room for many opportunities and she accepted.  Mother Rose served as a preschool teacher at the Reformation Church Get-Set program and also at the Mt. Airy Christian Day School.  When her husband was called to Pastor, she opened her own preschool called the Chestnut Hill Christian Day School.

As a Director and Preschool teacher, educating young minds was her passion!  Mother Rose cared for the children as if they were her own.  She often cared for children even when parents couldn’t afford to pay her.  A child’s well-being was most important.  She didn’t just serve children oatmeal – she made sure she added brown sugar and a little cinnamon for flavor.  And you didn’t just come and hang out at CHCDS…. you had school work and home work!  Several of the children that graduated from Pre-K4 often skipped Kindergarten and started first grade.  If you attended CHCDS, you not only had academics and knew how to say your ABCs forward and backwards; but you also could recite the pledge to the Christian flag and the Books of the Bible.

Mother Rose operated the Day School from 1982 until 1994, when her grandsons were born so that she could care for them.  That’s when “Grandmom’s School” was born.  There was far less structure and discipline at “Grandmom’s School”; but the love and academics continued.  Mother Rose loved her grandchildren deeply.  They were the light of her life!  Not only did she care for them, but she showed up at all of their events.  Being present for their milestones was important to her.  Even if it required travel to Virginia, Rhode Island, Allentown or Rochester, she was there.  She always held a birthday party for her local grandchildren, with a cake and pizza.  Mother Rose encouraged her grandchildren to strive for excellence and live out their passions.  She supported all of their goals and was very proud of them.

One thing that can be said about Mother Rose is that she LOVED the Lord.  She served Him with her whole heart.  She was passionate about the Word of God and was an avid learner and teacher. She was active and served in many ministries.  She grew up at Lakeview Baptist Church in Suffolk, VA.  She joined the Garden of Prayer COGIC when she moved to Philadelphia.  When the family moved back to Philadelphia in 1968, they joined the Philadelphia COGIC.  In 1975, the family moved their membership to Mt. Airy COGIC until her husband began his own Pastoral Ministry and founded Chestnut Hill Church of Philadelphia fellowshipping with the Churches of God in Christ.   

Mother Rose served in many capacities in the church.  She sang Tenor on many choirs and loved the hymns.  She was a Sunday School teacher and held Vacation Bible School every summer until 2018.  Mother Rose served as the Chairlady for the Elders and Ministers wives and also the Mother’s Board for the Lion of Judah Pentecostal Churches and the Keystone Jurisdiction of the COGIC.  Fellowship was important to her.  She also enjoyed feeding people.  Sunday Dinner was a staple at the Goins House.  Many Sundays, she would invite everyone over and stretch a chicken, two cups of rice and a 2-liter soda to become a meal for the masses.  Every event at Chestnut Hill was accompanied with a hearty meal and plenty for seconds.

Mother Rose loved to travel.  She had the opportunity to live overseas while Bishop was in the service.  But she continued to see the world throughout her life.  Whether it was a family trip or a National convention, Mother Rose was always ready to pack her bag and “go somewhere”.  Mother Rose was passionate about something else.  She LOVED, LOVED, LOVED taking pictures.  She always had a disposable camera in her purse to capture every important moment.  There are about 7 bins full of albums and packs of pictures – thousands!!  Her winding the dial on the camera could be heard piercing the silence.  After disrupting Dana’s nuptials in 2008, she received a digital camera with 512 gigs of space.  Most of the pictures in this program booklet demonstrate moments in time seen through her eyes.   They capture the love she had in her heart for her family, friends and church family.

Mother Rose never complained about anything.  Well…she may have fussed about the mess the children and grandchildren made.  Or even about some of Bishop’s antics!  But when it came to anything with her…she never mumbled a word.  She sacrificed so much for her family and the people she loved.  Often wearing the same clothes to make sure her children had what they needed.  She worked tirelessly at the church with a smile and no complaints.  Every gift she received was special even if it didn’t fit or she already had 23 purses.  Mother Rose also never blinked at pain.  She said childbirth was “just pressure”.  When she broke her arm, she quietly sat for hours in the ER with her bone sticking out of the skin.  And a week before she passed, all she said was “I don’t feel too good”. 

After almost 57 years of blissful Holy Matrimony, Bishop Leonard Goins Sr. proceeded her in death 80 days before Mother Rose took her eternal rest.  She leaves to cherish the memories and miss her immensely, four children, Carole Moore (Ferrin) of Manassas, VA, Vickie Melvin (James Sr.) of Philadelphia, PA, Leonard Goins Jr (Jenell) of Elkins Park, PA and Gloria Thomason (William) of Abington, PA.  She also leaves four “special children” – Lacenia Bridges (Tony), John James (Desha), Dana Fant (Kevin) and Kia Hill.  She was preceded in death by her parents and youngest sister – Lillian Harding of Suffolk, VA.   She leaves behind six siblings; Charles Harding, William Harding (Jency), Willock Harding (Deborah), Ruth Harding, Joseph Harding and David Harding; and two “special sisters” – Ida James and Priscilla Long.  Mother Rose is known as “Grandmom”, “Grandma”, and Aunt Rosa to grandchildren – Christina Moore, James Melvin Jr., Tyrone Thomason (Aubrianna), Terrie Lynne Goins, Christopher Moore, Jarrod Melvin, Taryn Thomason, Anaiya Green, Vyanna Melvin, Taylor Thomason, Tiaris Bridges, Skyy Richardson, Jasmine Barber; and a host of God-Children, Spiritual children, nieces, nephews, in-laws, friends and church family. 

Respectfully submitted,

The Family

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