Jeanette T. (Strawthers) Goggins

On Tuesday, December 14, 2021, Jeanette Theresa Goggins departed this earth after a brief illness.

Jean, as she was affectionately known, was born to the late Ora-Lee and Leonard Strawther, Sr. in Hartford, CT. A few years after Jean attended elementary school, she would move into the home of her foster mother, Ms. Mary Biggins.

Jean attended Hartford public schools and would later attend Cosmetology School also in Hartford. In July 1967 Jean married Reginal Samuel Goggins and to this union three children were born, Wayne, Phyllis, and Jackie. Jean became a homemaker and part-time kitchen beautician. In the early 1980’s Jean would suffer a stroke, resulting in a series of medical conditions that would prevent her from working full-time in the work force.

Jean found satisfaction raising her children and ultimately, grandchildren and great- grandchildren. Her grandchildren and great grandchildren meant the world to her, and she often watched them after school and on weekends. One could say that Jean was the grandmother of the SAND Community. She lived in the SANDS apartment building for more than 30 years and was loved by the community. Her cooking and sense of humor were like magnets, drawing adults and children from the neighborhood daily.

With the of support of her village, brother and sister-in-law; Anthony and Sandra, and loving companion; David Robinson, Jean helped her children to nurture a lineage of greatness within her

descendants before she departed this world. Jean in her own right was a great servant. Dr. King said, “Everybody can be great. Because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve…. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.”

Too often, love, food, clothing, shelter, and guidance have not been given their due respect as the seeds that bring forth excellence. It was these very seeds that were coupled with an education and training that have produced, a husband and father, homeowner, and certified truck driver for grandson, Wayne Martin; mother, co-homeowner, business woman, and certified chef, for granddaughter, Tarina Martin; certified nurses’ aid, and master hair stylist for granddaughter, Allah’na Perry; BA in Psychology, and future M.S. in Education for granddaughter Jada Goggins; Blue collar workers, with plans of furthering their education, for Briana Perry, Jabari Goggins and Khadijah Waggstaff and diploma from performance arts and music academy for Qusharia Perry.

Jean’s heart was generated by the love for her children and their children. “Well done thy good and faithful servant…”

Jean was preceded in death by her foster mother, Mary Biggins; parents, Ora-Lee and Leonard Strawther, Sr; daughter, Phyllis Goggins; husband, Reginal Goggins; sister, Genevieve Strawther- Redfield; and brother, Leonard H. Strawther, Jr. She leaves to mourn, long-time loving companion, David Robinson; her children, Wayne and Jackie; grandchildren, Michael Davis; Wayne Martin (Desi); Tarina Martin (Steve); Khadijah Wagstaff; Allah’na Perry; Briana Perry; Jada & Jabari Goggins; and Qusharia Perry; sisters, Lauren Strawther-Wright (Bennie) (FL); Jacqueline Strawther-Carter (Dwayne) (AL); brother, William A. Strawther; brother in-law, Myron Anthony Goggins (Sandra) (TN); 10 great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and great friends.

Jean’s body has been entrusted to the Holmes-Watkins Funeral Home for cremation. A small and informal service is planned for Wednesday, December 29, 2021, from 4:00 pm-6:00 p.m. at 400 Main Street, Manchester, CT.

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