Alva Goodman Sells' Obituary
Alva Goodman Sells, 88, of Gold Hill, North Carolina, passed away peacefully at her home on Sunday, September 14, 2025.
A funeral service to celebrate Alva’s life will be held at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at Matton’s Grove Methodist Church (24732 Matton’s Grove Church Rd., Gold Hill, NC), officiated by Rev. Martha Hayes. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends at the church from 3:00 to 4:45 p.m. prior to the service.
Born on February 28, 1937, in Stanly County, Alva was the daughter of the late Leland and Nora Goodman. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 57 years, Robert Lewis Sells (2014); her brothers, Spencer Goodman and Bud Goodman; and her sisters, Carrie Mae Wood, Ann Robinson, and Melvene Koontz.
Alva is lovingly survived by her children, Wes Sells (Tracie), Kelley Huff (David), and Robin Rogers (Tommy), all of Richfield, NC; grandchildren, Lauren Holland, Amanda Adkins, Matt Huff, Katie Huff, Jonah Rogers, Jordan Sells, Jenna Stevens, and Carson Sells; and great-grandchildren, Barringer, Bennett, Asher, Chesney, Wesley, Beasley, Rhett, and Hayes.
A 1955 graduate of Richfield High School and the Charlotte Memorial Hospital School of Nursing, Alva dedicated her career to caring for others. She started her career at Stanly County Hospital, then onto work with Dr. Brunson and finished her career at Wiscassett Mills, retiring in 1987.
Faith and service were central to Alva’s life. An active member of Matton’s Grove Methodist Church, she volunteered with the American Red Cross for over 30 years and served with Stanly County Habitat for Humanity. In 1994, she was honored as Stanly County Woman of the Year.
Affectionately known by her family as Nana, her commitment to be there for her grandchildren was unmatched. It was a rare occasion if Nana wasn’t in the stands at not only sporting events, but graduations, quiz bowls, and recitals. Truly, if it was important to one of the grandchildren, it was important to her.
Alva will be remembered for her unwavering kindness, her dedication to family, and her servant’s heart.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the American Red Cross (redcross.org) or Matton’s Grove Methodist Church (24732 Matton Grove Church Rd, Gold Hill, NC 28071)
Stanly Funeral & Cremation Care of Albemarle is serving the Sells family.
Alva’s compassion extended across the globe through the countless baby blankets she lovingly crafted and shared with families worldwide, if you ever received one of these precious gifts, please bring to the service.
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