Anna Lou Gooch

MURPHYSBORO - Anna Lou Gooch, 90, was called to heaven Thursday, March 23, 2023, surrounded by her loving family in her home. She entered the pearly gates to meet her Lord and Savior, while being reunited with her beloved husband and all of her loved ones who had gone before her.

Lou was born on October 14, 1932 to John and Mary (Reed) Stewart in Barnhill, Illinois. She married Billy Glen Gooch on April 17, 1957 in Fairfield, Illinois. They built their love, life and legacy from the ground up. Together, they shared nearly 65 years of wedded bliss and in that time they lived out the most beautiful love story only few experience in a lifetime. Their marriage was filled with mutual love, respect and adoration. This love for each other radiated to everyone around them. Bill preceded her in death on January 24, 2022.

After she and Bill married, her days were spent redefining what it meant to be a homemaker. One of her most admirable traits was the way she loved so fiercely and unconditionally. She invested so much of herself into everyone she came into contact with but her heart had a special place in it for children; because of her unmatched nurturing abilities she became known as the baby whisperer. She put the needs of everyone else before her own. She raised her babies exceptionally while supporting her husband and making it possible for him to reach his goals every step of the way. He may have been the head of the household but she was the neck that turned the head. She was a member of Murdale Baptist Church where she served in the nursery for 40 years. She had a lasting impact on a countless number of children who, when they think of Lou, they think of her part in their lives. She was the strongest woman you would ever cross paths with. Even after all the years of child-rearing her own kids, other people's kids, grandkids and great grandkids she never lost her unwavering caregiving abilities. When Bill became afflicted with Alzheimer’s she stepped up and became his anchor. She never once faltered even when her own health took a turn for the worse. She stayed by his side until his final breath. Our hearts will forever have a hole that only she could fill, so we say goodbye for now, until we meet again.

Lou is survived by her son, Marty (Sheila) Gooch; daughters, Patti Berry, Kathy (Jeff) Nuttall, Dena (Scott) Ashenbremer; grandchildren, Mark (Tina) Berry, Kristin (Jordon) McClaine, Kayla (John) Aitken, Alex (Rylie) and Carter (Kylie) Nuttall; and Ashley (Michael), Philip, and Emily Ashenbremer; great-grandchildren, Landyn, Mailee, Braelyn, Nolan, Parker, Tyson, Aubrey, Rayne, Tanner and Myles; brother, Bob Stewart; sisters, Kay Hilligist and Elvira Stewart-Haile; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband Bill; parents; and siblings, Augusta Stewart, Johnny Stewart, Tom Stewart, Ruth Merritt, Reta Hill, Reba Tibbs, and Lea Doty

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” -Philippians 4:13

Visitation will be from 5:00 – 7:00pm on Tuesday, March 28, 2023 at Murdale Baptist Church and Wednesday from 10:00 – 11:00am at the church.  Funeral services will be held at 11:00am on Wednesday, March 29, 2023 at Murdale Baptist Church in Carbondale with Rev. Paul Hicks officiating. Burial will follow at Oakland Cemetery in Carbondale..

Memorials may be made to Murdale Baptist Church or Hospice of Southern Illinois and will be accepted at the church.

Meredith Funeral Home in Carbondale is in charge of arrangements. To leave a story or memory of Lou visit www.meredithfh.com