Virginia Elizabeth Southard Goldie

Virginia Elizabeth Southard Goldie, 87, of Decatur, Georgia, passed away peacefully of natural causes on March 26, 2026.

She was born in New York in 1938 to Percy G. Southard and Virginia A. Southard. She attended Oceanside High School before graduating from Syracuse University, where she was a proud member of Gamma Phi Beta sorority.

Returning to Long Island after college, Virginia taught elementary school in Freeport and Oceanside. Teaching was her gift and her passion. She took tremendous satisfaction in helping children learn to read and study, and later in life loved hearing from former students who had built successful lives of their own.

After college, she reconnected with an old acquaintance, Charles H. Goldie, Jr. Virginia had known Charlie since childhood - he was her best friend's big brother - but it wasn't until she returned home that they both realized their friendship was something more. They married in 1964 and built a life together in Oceanside, raising three children: Jeanne, Charles, and Christina. Although she loved the classroom, being a mother was her favorite role of all.

She was a faithful member of First Presbyterian Church of Oceanside from childhood. As an adult, she taught Sunday School for many years, helped coordinate the church newsletter, organized rummage and bake sales, and served on numerous committees. The congregation remained close to her heart long after she moved away.

After Superstorm Sandy, she moved to the Atlanta area, where she embraced a new chapter browsing the library, striking up conversations at the supermarket, and spending more time with her daughter, Jeanne. She treasured visiting with family, including her daughter-in-law Tolu, son-in-law Jay, grandchildren Daniel (Laura), Thomas, Eva, Virginia, and Alexandra, and her great-grandchildren Mirele and Oliver.

Virginia had a soft spot for animals, especially cats. Fang, Shirley, Smokey, and Prince were among her most beloved. She also enjoyed sewing, writing and reading letters, and indulging in the occasional cheeseburger or glass of wine (though always "just an inch").

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her brother, Townsend Southard. Virginia is survived by her children, her grandchildren, and her great-grandchildren.

Virginia loved helping people in need. The family welcomes donations in her memory to a charitable organization of your choosing.