Charles Edward Goff, a native of Manassas, Virginia, was born on February 2, 1949 in
Powhatan, Virginia to Louise Frances Goff. At high risk to mother and baby, he was delivered
as a breech baby in the family home by a midwife. His middle name was that of his mother’s
brother. At the age of 7, the family moved to Manassas, Virginia. They eventually moved into
Birmingham Green, formerly known as the District Home. It was here that he enjoyed playing
with his dog Smoky. One of his adventurous memories was seeing lighting travel down one of
the hallways during a bad storm. A family highlight was traveling to Baltimore, Maryland each
week to visit his mother’s sister, Aunt Rose. It broke his heart that upon returning from a visit,
he discovered that a resident at the District Home had called animal control and Smoky was
taken away.
At the age of 16, he moved to Douglas Street and lived there until he married, Vera Goff, the
mother of his children. He attended Jennie Dean Middle School (located on the property of the
former Manassas Industrial School for Colored Youth) and Osbourn High School. It was in high
school that he became a basketball “superstar” playing as shooting guard. His athletic skills as a
player are still remembered up to this day. Even in his 60s and 70s, Charles remained an athlete
at heart and became creative and determined to maintain his strength as long as he could. He
hung resistance bands over his entry door to exercise for upper body strength and lifted the
handles of his exercise bike while he sat on his rollator. After each hospitalization, he would
work with his physical and occupational therapists to get stronger despite pain and tiredness. He
also had mental determination and decided to maintain a low sodium healthy diet for his heart
and kidneys and gave up some of his favorite foods. He was able to discontinue all of his blood
pressure medications.
Charles was a hard worker and passed this trait onto his children. His strong work ethic began as
a young boy working on Kincheloe Farm (now the location of Manassas Junction Shopping
Center). He enjoyed riding Marigold, a golden palomino, on the farm and around the
surrounding areas. At the age of 20, he began working at Safeway and retired after 30 years of
service. He was known to be friendly and interactive with the customers and a genuine and kind
person to others. He lived by one of his favorite scriptures, commonly known as the “Golden
Rule” found at Matthew 7:12, “All things, therefore, that you want men to do to you, you also
must do to them”.
When his children were younger, he enjoyed spending time with them at the playground and
pool, walks to 7 Eleven for a sweet treat, school skating parties, and the IBM Family Day at
Kings Dominion. He turned into a big kid and usually had the most fun on the rides. As they
got older, he attended their graduation parties and he continued to cherish spending time with
them and his grandchildren. He also enjoyed visits with his brother, watching television
(especially westerns, news, and sports), watering his plant, looking out his apartment window to
see the goings on in the neighborhood, sitting outside in his scooter with the neighbors, eating a
good meal, and reading the Bible. Through his study of the Bible he learned that the Kingdom
that many people pray for in the “Our Father” prayer (Matthew 6:9,10), will rid the Earth of
suffering, pain, sickness, and death (Revelation 21:3,4 and Isaiah 33:24) and that those who have
fallen asleep in death have the hope of being resurrected to the Earth (Acts 24:15 and John 5:28,
29). His one desire for his children was “to always believe in God’s Word the Bible. It is the
way of life in this world. It is your protection and direction for God’s will”.
Although from humble beginnings, through the last few years of his life, he was treated like
royalty, with the loving care of family and caregivers. He would frequently thank them for taking
care of him to show his appreciation. About a month ago, before being hospitalized, he said to
one of his caregivers, “It was nice knowing you”. He expressed to her that he knew he would be
dying at some point and he appreciated the care given to him. He fell asleep in death on August
22, 2021, at Virginia Hospital Center, after a difficult period of illness and he will always be
loved and missed by his family, friends, and caregivers.
He was preceded in death by his mother: Louise Francis Goff; brother: William Goff, Jr.; and
sisters: Mary Leslie Booker and Mae Goff. He leaves behind his oldest children: Sean Foddrell
(Beth Foddrell) and Sabrina Foddrell; the mother of his children: Vera Goff; their children:
Rosslyn M. Woods (“Shelly” – Donovan Woods); Kara S. Battle (Kevin Battle); Charles W.
Goff (Tamara Goff); and Kyle E. Goff (Andrea Goff); brother: Frederick C. Goff (Sigrid
Mullins); his grandchildren: Ashtyn Foddrell; Jarius Cotton; Kenadi Goff; Madison Battle; Bryce
Battle; Lincoln Goff; Anderson Goff; his newest grandchild, Karrington Goff; and cousins,
nieces and nephews.
SPECIAL ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Especially during COVID-19, the family would like to express their heartfelt appreciation to
Mulu Mekonnen (caregiver), Olga Iraheta (caregiver), Tracy Stohlman (home health nurse), the
team at Live With A Purpose Home Care, LLC, doctors, nurses, and staff at Virginia Hospital
Center, and cherished family and friends who provided support and encouragement.
