Melvin Goins Memoriam

Bramwell High School Class '53 beloved Melvin Goins was born in 1933 and passed away on Friday, July 29, 2016.

Melvin was born on Sinai Mountain near the coal mining community of Goodwill, WV and attended both Bramwell Grade School and High School in the 1940 - 1950 era. Even as a child he was known for his musical talents and is remembered for his many concerts performed over sixty five years in the southern WV coal fields and far beyond.

Melvin was a legendary bluegrass performer for more than 65 years. At the time his death he was touring in North Bay, Ontario, Canada. He was there to play at the River Valley Bluegrass Jamboree.

The music he loved became known as bluegrass about the time Melvin and his brother, Ray, started playing professionally. The Goins Brothers performed together until Ray retired from touring in 1994. Melvin Goins, along with his brother Ray, were inducted into the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame November 16, 2013. Melvin was also inducted into the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame in 2011.

West Virginia Music Hall of Fame @: STORY OF MELVIN GOINS HALL OF FAME INDUCTION IN 2013

West Virginia Music Hall of Fame @: WEST VIRGINIA MUSIC HALL OF FAME

A recollection of Melvin's life can be found@: THE LIFE OF MELVIN GOINS

Catlettsburg, KY Newspaper obiturary notice:

CATLETTSBURG, Ky. — Melvin Goins, 82, of Catlettsburg, passed away Friday, July 29, 2016 at the West Nipissing General Hospital in Sturgeon Falls, Ontario Canada. He was there, in North Bay, to play at the River Valley Bluegrass Jamboree. One of ten children born to the late Glen and Pearl Dillion Goins, Melvin was born and raised in the Bluefield, WV area. In addition to his parents he was also preceded in death by his brothers Ray, Conley and Roger Goins. Melvin was a lifelong Bluegrass Musician and Entertainer. He and his late brother Ray were self -taught musicians and in their earlier years played a lot of school shows in the area and introduced people to traditional music. He was very humble, talented and generous. He always had a big smile and loved to make people laugh and loved to tell stories. He was a member of the Stinson Church of Christ.

Melvin was the first bluegrass artist to appear on the cover of the Smithsonian Magazine and was presented with the Appalachian Treasure Award. The Goins Brothers were also inducted into the Music Hall of Fame in both Kentucky and West Virginia and are included in the International Bluegrass Music Museum’s oral history project. He was inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Association Hall of Fame with The Lonesome Pine Fiddlers. He recorded with his brother Ray as the Goins Brothers and with various other artists on numerous labels over the years.

Survivors include his loving wife Willia Woods Goins of Catlettsburg, son Gregory Goins and wife Pamela of Elkhorn City, KY, daughters Barbara Trojack and husband Kevin of Columbus, OH, Billie Jo Huffman and husband Roger of Catlettsburg, grandchildren, Michael Huffman, Kenneth Diamond, Monty (Teresa) Derefield, Shana (Bryan Lee) Derefield, Seth Goins, Zachary Goins, brothers, James Goins and wife Arlene of Bluefield, WV, Walter Goins of Bluefield, WV, Harold Goins and wife Elsie of Princeton, WV, Kelly Goins and wife Vickie of Bramwell, WV, sister Judy Bragg and husband Harry of Beckley, WV, many great and great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and a host of extended family and friends.

Funeral services will be held 1:00 pm Monday, August 8, 2016 at the Steen Funeral Home, 13th St. Chapel by Pastor Tim Ratliff. Entombment will be in the East Carter Memory Gardens in Grayson. Visitation will be from 2-9 pm Sunday at the Funeral Home.

"They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old. Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them.”

- Laurence Binyon