Golyen West

Golyen Stone West was born in Chesterfield County, South Carolina on February 2, 1936 to the union of Braxton Boyd Stone and Bertha Myers Stone. Golyen, affectionately known as “Goldie”was the sixth child of 12 children. Golyen was nurtured academically at Mt. Zion School and Pickney High School and spiritually at Mount Zion AME Church in Carthage, North Carolina. Golyen met and married Walter James West Sr. after moving to Chicago to attend Wayne School of Nursing where she graduated in 1957. Golyen was employed by Saks Fifth Avenue while attending school. She also worked as a Rehab Counselor at St. Leonard’s House, Northwestern Memorial Hospital as a nurse, and Washington Park YMCA as Membership Director for a total of 40 plus years combined. Golyen was a member of Reformation Evangelical Lutheran Church for 30 yrs where she directed the After School and the Summer Lunch Programs for many years. “Goldie” was also called “Missionary Lady”, as a nickname, because she always had an open door for anyone who needed it. She welcomed, guided, and nurtured her birth children, family member’s children, neighborhood children, as well as some adults. Though she had hourly jobs, her favorite activities were that of comforter. She housed, fed, and even clothed many. She definitely lived by God’s word that we are here on earth to serve one another. On July 16, 2015, Golyen closed her eyes and took her eternal rest. She was preceded in death by her parents, Braxton Boyd Stone and Bertha Myers Stone; and seven siblings, TC, Ruth, Raleigh, Redeic, Fairy, Julius, and Billy. Golyen West was truly a phenomenal woman and leaves to cherish her memory, her children both birth and chosen: Walter James West Jr. (Tammy), Melvin (Tony) Jackson, Antwan Bowie, Byron Bowie, Lamont (Duke) Guice, Joseph McDonald (Ceandra), Kevin Lewis, Willie Douglas, Jeffrey Turner, Janet Stone, Glenn Stone-Ford (Steven), Rita West-Hodges (Jesse), Denise Austin, Renee Brown (David), Belinda Tinsey-Williams (Darryl), and Tony Yates; her sisters and brother: Jesse Stone (Margaret), Gertrude Stone, Agatha Stone, Naomi Ross of Durham, NC, and Ellen Robinson; sisters-in-law: Annie Myers of and Christine Stone; natural and chosen 22 grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren, along with several nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Tributes

Golyen West

February 2, 1936 - July 16, 2015