Elaine (Wheeler) Goza, of Swifton, Arkansas, departed this life on Wednesday, July 13, 2022, at the age of 75. She was born October 6, 1946, in Newport, the daughter of William Woodrow “Bill” and Vesta Belle (Mitts) Wheeler.
Shea was a 1964 graduate of Swifton High School. Lovingly known as “Mama E”, she was a beloved teacher’s aide at the Swifton School Library, and volunteered endless hours helping with the Kell Classic.
She was a gentle person with a kind heart, who was known to care for anyone who needed her and had the unique ability to make people around her feel special and loved.
She enjoyed cooking and watching her grandchildren play sports. Her greatest joy in life came from time spent with her children and grandchildren.
She was a member of the Holden Avenue Church of Christ.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Jerry Wayne Goza; one daughter-in-law, Joanna Goza; her nephew, Rickey Henderson; her niece, Lorri Petty; and her parents.
She is survived by one son, Tim Goza and girlfriend, Priscilla Cobble of Swifton; one daughter, Tammy Shelton and husband, Tim of Newport; six grandchildren, Cassie Shelton McFadden and husband, Steven, of Pocahontas, Bryce Shelton and wife, Lacy of Newport, Jordan Shelton Malone and husband, Tray of Paragould, Zach Goza and wife, Lindsey of Jonesboro, Bri Goza and, Bubba Hutchinson of Newport, and Meagan Goza Wallace and husband, Arthur of Jonesboro; fourteen great-grandchildren, Jaxon, Rylin, Brailey, Carson, J.R., Liza, Cam, Ryder, Hazel, Nora Rae, Zeke, Arthur III, Raigan, and Vaida; two brothers, Bill Wheeler, Jr., and wife, Carolyn of Wynne, and Gary Wheeler and wife, Lisa of Auburn, Alabama; her sister, Bernice Henderson of Swifton; a special niece, Teresa Myers of Swifton; several nieces, nephews, and a lifetime of friends.
Friends may visit at the funeral home, on July 16, beginning at 12:30 p.m. Funeral services will follow at 2:00 p.m. at Jackson’s Newport Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will be in Arnold Cemetery.
Those honored to serve as pallbearers are Jaxon Shelton, Tray Malone, Arthur Wallace, Bubba Hutchinson, Chris Smith, and Bert Mosley. Honorary pallbearers are Cody Wood, Dylan Thatcher, Robby Slagley, Mark Duncan, and Mark Petty.
Memorials may be made to the Families First Foundation, P.O. Box 1081, Marion, AR 72364.
