Jeannine Kinard Goethe

Jeannine Kinard Goethe age 90, passed away gently & peacefully Saturday morning, March 6, 2021. Memorial services will be postponed until fall. Jeannine was born on October 27, 1930 in Summerville, SC, to John Albert Kinard and Novice Caldwell Kinard, both of whom were career educators in South Carolina. She enjoyed telling the story that her original birth certificate actually read “NO NAME girl Kinard”, the result of her parent’s disagreement whether to name her Alberta or her Mother’s preference, inspired by a popular tune of the day, “Jeannine, I dream of Lilac Time”. Jeannine and her three younger siblings, Jacqueline, John and Mary, grew up in the rural, low country area of South Carolina. When the Kinard family moved to Ridgeland, SC, Jeannine met her soulmate and sweetheart, Paul Goethe. Every year they celebrated 2 anniversaries, their first date, a church hayride on November 4, 1946, and their marriage on Jan 11, 1951. Jeannine would explain that she and Paul were still in college when they decided to elope, so they had to return to classes the next morning; and they did! She wore a dark blue wool suit that she had sewn herself; she loved to sew. Both did go on to earn their Bachelor Degrees of Education. Jeannine attended Winthrop Women’s University; Paul attended Newberry College. Together, they pursued their mutual passion for education and young people. For 14 years Jeannine and Paul lived in Savannah GA, raised their children, Paula and William, taught at several Chatham County junior high and high schools, and earned Master’s degrees. When the family moved to Tucker, GA in 1967, Paul went to work for Georgia Department of Education in Atlanta until his death in 1987 and Jeannine worked as a Counselor at Pinetree Elementary, Conyers, Ga, until her retirement in 1988. However, Jeannine did not stop her own education until her health prevented her attending in training workshops and seminars. She maintained her professional license as a National and Georgia Board Certified Education Counselor through 2018. Jeannine was funny, loving and generous. She relished socializing with her ADK sorority sisters, her Tucker Methodist Church Pioneers group and especially joining family in North and South Carolina to celebrate big events. Jeannine had some very special friendships, like her neighbor, Carol, with whom she’d go out for dinner and a movie. And she never missed celebrating birthdays, New Years and St. Patrick’s Day with Lynda, Wayne and Diane. She loved good food, being at the beach, her cats and her sporty, red Mustang. She traveled whenever and wherever she wanted, until she was 86! She missed her freedom when healthcare issues led to her moving into a memory care, assisted living facility in Smyrna two years ago. But she never forgot her friends and they never forgot her. She loved your visits, cards, letters, emails and phone calls. She was cared for by the most wonderful, devoted private CNA’s. She was never alone, never wanted for attention and tender care. Jeannine was preceded in death by her husband Paul Stephens Goethe, her sister Jackie Kinard Whaley, and her son William Edward Goethe. She is survived by her daughter Paula Jeannine Price, granddaughter Emily Price-Whitfield, grandson Erik Goethe Price, and great grandson Avery Paul Jennetten, all of Smyrna, GA. She is also survived by daughter-in-law Debra Kelly Goethe, grandson Charles Kelly, and great grands, Savannah and Brodie Kelly, all of LaGrange, GA. Other surviving family include her brother, John Albert Kinard, Jr of Walterboro, SC and her sister, Mary Elizabeth Gardner of Greensboro, NC. Jeannine was so proud of her many nieces and nephews. Thank you all for the cards and pictures you sent her; she loved them. Two memorials will be planned for October, one in Atlanta area and another in Ridgeland, SC. Hopefully, by that time, it will be safe for family and friends to travel and gather together. Jeannine and William, will be interred next to Paul Goethe in Ridgeland, SC cemetery. Jeannine was fun-loving, high-spirited and full of life. She lived a very full life and was prepared to rejoice with her loved ones that had already made the journey to God’s loving arms before her. In lieu of flowers, you are welcome to make a donation in her memory to an organization of your choosing.

Jeannine Kinard Goethe

October 27, 1930 - March 6, 2021