Goldie Mae Berry was born on April 28, 1930, in Cincinnati, Ohio, the second child of six daughters to George Washington Berry of Union, Georgia and Mae Francis Chambers Berry of Covington, KY. She gained two more siblings – a sister and brother, when her mother remarried. The family resided in the East End. After many years in a rocky marriage, Goldie’s parents separated during the children’s elementary and junior high school years. Their paternal grandmother, Susie Mae Berry and their widowed paternal aunt, Irene Berry Williams, took the four older daughters to live with them and Irene’s two sons, Marvin and Alcue. Their new home was one full of love, respect for one another, etiquette and decorum, plenty to eat and drink, engaging activities to do before and after school, a regiment of household chores, part-time jobs to help support the family unit, and regular church attendance and participation. Goldie, her sisters Inez, Henrietta, and their first cousin, Vera, joined the El Bethel Baptist Church and were baptized in the Ohio River. They formed a vocal quartet and sang at El Bethel as well as other churches in the neighborhood.
Goldie attended the Highlands Elementary School and then the East Vocational School in Walnut Hills where she focused on tailoring. She had to drop out of school in the 11th grade to obtain a full time job to support the family. One day a young man from the neighborhood who also worked at the same company sat down next to her on the trolley bus; and introduced himself as Robert Alex Saunders. Some weeks later, he asked her grandmother if he could take Goldie on a date. In knowing that his parents, paternal uncle, and paternal aunt (not siblings) had founded a C.M. E. church just a block from her home, Grandmother Susie gave her approval. They later married, saved their money and purchased their first home at the ages of 19 and 17. God blessed their loving union with four children: Loretta, Cherry, Robert Jr., and Nicholas. Totally and adoringly committed to each other, and clinging to their faith in GOD, they raised their children just as they had been taught: to put GOD first, then family, and then everyone and everything else. Their home was full of love, the “Kool-Aid house” on the street, the fun place to be where their children, their cousins and friends could sit on the front porch, play jacks in the side yard, skate or ride bikes in the middle concrete yard, and pick fruit and vegetables or play with the jack rabbits or dog in the huge upper yard. Life wasn’t easy, but Goldie and her husband Robert made it seem as if it was by managing well all that GOD had entrusted in their care. They sacrificed personal aspirations and paid for their four children to take music lessons. Goldie and Robert started Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops at the East End’s Pendleton Club, a community gathering place. She and her husband were active members of their churches, raising their children as both Methodist and Baptist, faithfully engaged in P.T.A., served on jury duty, annually volunteered as Poll workers and Precinct Chairpersons. She and Robert pursued finishing their high schooling by taking classes together to earn their G.E.D.’s. They saw the fulfillment of their dreams through their children and grandchildren from whom they received great joy and blessings.
Goldie was a phenomenal wife of 61 years to her one and only boyfriend, a wonderful mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, friend, role model, seamstress, singer and church musician. She had an irresistible, loving and fun character with an infectious sense of humor and laugh that made being in her presence exhilarating, while also safe, grateful and fulfilled. Goldie learned from the best in the kitchen, her grandmother and aunt. She was known for not only setting a beautiful table, but also for the home cooked meals she served. Because she grew up during the Great Depression, the value of stocking up on supplies was important to her and carried over from generation to generation in her family. She always had house supplies and food on hand in her cabinets and deep freezers for her children, grandchildren, siblings, nieces, nephews, neighbors and friends, as it was needed. No one starved or really struggled, if she and Robert knew about it. Goldie was always willing to be of help. She was very energetic and often had more energy and strength than those younger than her, even into her late 80’s. Always known for being one of the sweetest people you could ever encounter, Goldie was also not one to take any mess. She didn’t play about her family. “Right is right and wrong is wrong. And if you mess with mine, I’ll get you told.” In her spare time from church and community involvement, she loved traveling and especially spending time with her family. The Sunday dinners after church and the big Hoff Ave/East End family softball games at Lunken Airport and Turkey Ridge were highlights of the week. Goldie not only told her family she loved them, but consistently showed it by her actions. Most of all, she lived a life pleasing to the Lord because she loved HIM most of all.
To all those who loved her, she was revered and treasured as pure gold – the epitome of the virtuous woman depicted in Proverbs 31:10-31. She was proceeded in death by her parents, husband and son, Nicholas Saunders; sisters: Georgianna Grant, Rosetta Cooley, Juanita Woolen, Inez Bouldin and Henrietta Grier; her brother, William Berry; and her sister-in-love, Alma Ruth Solomon. She leaves to celebrate her legacy: daughters, Loretta Dawson (Charles, deceased) and Cherry Martin (Steven); son, Robert Alex Saunders, Jr. (Mary); eight (8) grandchildren: Angela Thompson, Cynthia Carlisle (Lee), Tara Elliott, Tamela Saunders, Nicholas Robert Grant, Nicholas Alex Saunders, Robert Alex Saunders, III, and Terrance Green; nineteen (19) great-grandchildren: Craig Thompson, Jr., Cyara Thompson, Jadyn Elliott, Lee Carlisle II, Elise Carlisle, Nikiya Grant, Avery Elliott, Niriya Grant, Nikian Grant, Tamar Green, Ka’Dence Brown, Terryn Green, Nicholas Grant Jr., Nicholas Saunders, Jr., Nikita Grant, Terrance J. Green, Tayvion Green, Ni’Kai Saunders and Trevontae Green; her sister – Delores Powell (George) and a host of other relatives and friends.
Goldie’s favorite Bible verse: “Let not your heart be troubled; ye believe in GOD, believe also in me. In my FATHER’S house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” “JESUS said, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no man cometh unto the FATHER, but by Me.” – John 14: 1-3; 6
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