Suffragan Bishop Gilbert Gooden was born in St. Ann, Jamaica, December 20, 1942.  During his childhood he began to show his leadership abilities and by the age of 15 he had become a skilled carpenter.  As he began his life journey in 1969, he moved to New London, Connecticut; in 1970 he became a born-again believer and was baptized in the name of Jesus, at the Morning Star Apostolic Church.  A year later he began preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Through his hard work and dedication to the ministry, he also found favor in the sight of God, being blessed with his loving wife, Diane Dunbar while serving faithfully in the ministry until 1980.  The family moved to Andrews, SC to Hines Chapel where he served continuously for 11 years, then moving to Morganton, NC to St. John's Holiness Church, being installed as Pastor February 21, 1992.  In June of 1997, he was appointed as District Elder, having 8 churches under his leadership for region 1 of the P.A.W.  In 2006, he was appointed to the office of Suffragan Bishop in the New 58th Episcopal District of the North Carolina State Council, by Bishop Edward C. Roberts.  Suffragan Bishop Gilbert Gooden served diligently for 30 years until he appointed his wife, Assistant Pastor Diane Gooden, to the office of Pastor in September 2022, to care for the flock of St. John's Church of God Ministries.  He continuously shows his love by ministering to everyone the love of Christ, giving you his all at all times, until June 30, 2023 at 8:30 p.m. where he made his earthly transition with his family, church family, and loved ones surrounding him until his last breath of life.

Suffragan Bishop Gilbert Gooden left this world owing it nothing because of all that he gave us with humility, righteous character, and a giving heart.  We can all receive from his purpose filled life of hard work, disciplined, and the fullness he experienced by living a life for Christ Jesus.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings, son Patrick Gooden, and grandson Devante O'Shay Gooden.  He leaves behind his wife of 51 years, Pastor Diane Dunbar Gooden of the home, daughters Sonya Gooden-Williams (Ervin) of Morganton and Sandra Gooden-Boland (George) of Bridgeport, CT; sons Mark Gooden (Joan) of Jamaica, Ronald Gooden of South Carolina, and Traver Gooden (Jessica) of Morganton; eight grandchildren: Terrell Gore, Icey Gooden, Trevian Gooden, Triston Gooden, Emiah Wooten, Quamaine McCray, Dakotah Harlow, and Chastin Harlow; 10 great-grandchildren, two sisters in law: Aretha Knox of Morganton and Apostle Carol P. Lloyd of Bridgeport, CT, and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

A homegoing celebration will be held Friday July 7, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at St. John Church of God Ministries; interment will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery.  The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.  Bishop Gooden lie in repose for the public on Thursday July 6, 2023 from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. in the Corpening Memorial Chapel of McCain Funeral Home & Cremations.

The service will also be livestreamed on the McCain Funeral Home & Cremations Facebook page and

YouTube Channel; the links are found below:

McCain Funeral Home & Cremations Facebook Page:

https://www.facebook.com/mccainfuneralhome/

McCain Funeral Home & Cremations YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCu4qb7IT7sO-Kc0BRs05J-A