Susie Yancey Gooch of Oxford’s Yancey Family Singers enters eternal rest at 76

By Libra Boyd, Editor in Chief

GMF joins the gospel music community in mourning the passing of Susie Yancey Gooch, member of the Yancey Family Singers from Oxford, NC. Gooch transitioned June 30th. She was 76.

In an emotional social media post last week, Gooch’s niece Shaundria Faulkner, who is also a special contributor to GMF, shared:

Elder Gooch is the oldest of 11 children (6 girls, 5 boys — my mother is baby number five and daughter number three). Aunt “Sue Mae” is the first of the 11 to transition into her eternal reward.

She is one of the lead singers and songwriters for The Yancey Family Singers (one of three singing groups among the siblings). You can search Yancey Family Singers/Ministries on Google, YouTube, or Facebook.

She served in ministry, most recently, at Cornerstone Christian Community Church, Oxford, NC. She preached without wavering, completed her bachelor’s degree in her 60s, and authored a book in her 70s. In her book, God Helps People with Schizophrenia, she shared her challenges and blessings in an effort to let whosoever know, nothing is too hard for God’s power that sustains her. She had an encouraging and empowering word for everyone she met. This is because the love she had to give wasn’t her own love but the Love of God that shone through her — and she would tell you that.

GMF lifts the Gooch and Yancey families in prayer during this emotional time.

Arrangements are as follows:

Family Visitation & Reflection
July 10 at 6 PM
Cornerstone Christian Community Church
3237 Knotts Grove Road
Oxford, NC 27565

Celebration of Life
July 11 at 1 PM
Cornerstone Christian Community Church
3237 Knotts Grove Road
Oxford, NC 27565

For a glimpse into the musical legacy of the Yancey Family Singers, revisit my past GMF review: History: Complete Early Recordings – The Yancey Family Singers.