Mary M. S. Goss, 82, of Cumberland, Maryland, died Monday, February 1, 2021, in Southern Maryland as the result of complications during a heart catheterization procedure. Mrs. Goss was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, William F. Goss, Sr. They met on the boardwalk in Jacksonville Beach, Florida, where he was a Machinist Mate stationed on an aircraft carrier aboard Naval Station Mayport and she was there on a girls vacation, in the early 1950s. For him, it was love at first sight. He saw her while walking with a Navy buddy and not having even met her yet, told him, "See that girl, I'm going to marry her." They dated each other during her short vacation and at its end, he told her that he was getting out in a few months and asked for her address so he could mail her a small package containing her engagement ring and a set of wedding rings. Being only 17 herself and he 21, she was very skeptical and was thinking "Yeah, right. I'm not going to hear from him ever again after I go home." But true to his word, a package arrived a few months later containing the rings. Then he arrived shortly afterward to ask her father for her hand in marriage. Being what her father considered "a damn Yankee" since he was from Maryland and not Georgia, he wasn't very pleased at first but finally gave his permission with a warning that he would be deathly sorry if he didn't make her happy. They were happily married in September 1955. In addition to her husband and parents George W. Sr. and Trenton B., Mrs. Goss was preceded in death by her brother, George W. Jr., sisters Betty Lois R. and Evelyn N. L., grandson-in-law Walter Shaun Cram, and a great-great-grandchild born too early, Steven Evans. Mrs. Goss was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was the glue that kept all things in order. She was beloved by her neighbors. She never met a stranger. As a natural caretaker of others, she would always give to others even if she had to do without herself. She enjoyed the company of the neighborhood cats and always had food and treats ready for them when they visited. Mrs. Goss was the perfect example of a fine "Georgia Peach" born and raised in Middle Georgia, and was always very proud to be from Georgia no matter where she ventured to in her later life. Once upon a time, she was scared to fly, but after her first short plane ride, she got her passport and her travel went international. Her most favorite trip was to Punta Cana to attend her granddaughter Lorraine's wedding. Her last adventure was to NAS Corpus Christi, Texas, to see Steven receive his Navy Pilot wings. She was so proud and happy to be there to celebrate his achievement and hard work. She loved Diet Pepsi and often brought her own to drink if friends or a restaurant only served Coke. After you could no longer bring bottles of soda through airport security, she was fit to be tied when she could not buy it anywhere post-security at the Atlanta airport for return flights. Upon landing back in Baltimore, she would always make a fast beeline to the Pepsi machine at the airplane gate. Her second favorite drink was sweet tea. She was particularly critical of soul food restaurants outside of the south. When inquiring how the food was prepared, she would be skeptical and say "Well, we'll see. I'm from Georgia." when they would answer that the taste was authentic. She was very vocal if their tea wasn't sweet enough. She always took great pride in her flower gardens. Even in her older years to the very end, she had such energy and strength to outwork most anyone way younger. She was a true farmer's daughter and would often tell stories of working hard in the fields picking acres of cotton by hand with her dad as well as fun times such as swinging on the muscadine vines in the trees and stealing watermelons out of the patches. She had very fond memories of growing up in the humble brick house with the tin roof her dad built with his own hands. She dearly loved that house and the memories she had growing up there. She was always happiest to stay with her sister and her family at her homeplace when she went back to Georgia for visits. On every visit, she would, either alone or with her sister, walk back to the family cemetery in the backyard and spend time at their parents' graves. Mrs. Goss is survived by her four children: William F. Goss Jr. (Sue), Linda S. Sweitzer, Robert E. Goss, Sr. (Christa), and Patricia L. Goss who cared deeply for her. She is also survived by her six grandchildren: Amanda S. Evans (Joe), William Brent Goss (Heidi), Lorraine N. Hanft (Matt), Robert E. Goss, Jr. (fiance Jodi), Brittany N. Groves (Robert), and Rachael D. Cram (fiance Brandon). She is further survived by her eight great-grandchildren: Miley S. Goss, Joey Evans, Catrina Evans, Adalynn N. Hanft, Briana J. "Pee Wee" Groves, Brantley M. "Buddy Boy" Groves, Aubree J. Cram, and Allie R. Cram. All of the grandkids and great-grandkids were the apples of her eyes. She loved babies and taking care of children and babysat often for extended family. While her grandkids and great-grandkids will miss her greatly, we know in our hearts she will be loving on and caring for our angel babies in heaven. To her, family was also chosen by love and includes her dearest friends, both old and new: her very best friend, the late Marie Crites, Carol Gilbert, Donnie Gilbert, Jason Gilbert, Samantha Gilbert, Shawn Gilbert, Christian Gilbert, Cara Gilbert, John Murphy, Vickie Murphy, Joe Crites, Lennie Crites, Jamie Charlton, Mike Lathroum, Mary Lathroum, Marc Kennedy, Diana Kennedy, Devin Kennedy, Alfred "Monty" Montgomery, Teruyo Sugiyama, the late William Zakravsky, Frank Zakravsky, Mayumi Zakravsky, Steven Zakravsky, Brian Zakravsky, Angela Zakravsky, Terri Smith, and Melissa Smith as well as many others. Mrs. Goss is also survived by her brother Charles H. "Pee Wee" and his wife Glenda, brother-in-law Steve, many nieces and nephews, and her close friend and traveling companion, Allen Snider. Allen and she enjoyed each other's company to church services, picnics and concerts in the park, and playing the slots at Rocky Gap Casino. Family and friends will be received at the Scarpelli Funeral Home, P.A., 108 Virginia Avenue, Cumberland, Maryland, on Wednesday, February 10, 2021, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. A funeral service will immediately follow at the funeral home at 1 p.m. Interment will be beside her husband William F. Goss, Sr., at Sunset Memorial Park, Cumberland, Md. Pallbearers will be Donald Gilbert, Jason Gilbert, Shawn Gilbert, Christian Gilbert, Robert Groves, and William “Brent” Goss. Mom had a generous heart and donated whatever she could to numerous charities. She would be honored for those who wish to do so to make charitable donations of their own with any amount, large or small, to help others in need at your local food pantry, animal rescue, military veterans organization, or any other place of your choosing in her memory. Condolence cards may be sent to: Patricia Goss, P.O. Box 1710, Lusby, Maryland 20657. Livestream: Download Link: https://vimeo.com/alleganymedia/download/510707538/7e9631d93b Memorial Video: