Amanda Virginia Graybeal Goss was born March 15, 1853 to Jacob and Rachel (Shoun) Graybeal. Rachel's family had lived in Johnson County, Tennessee where a town, Shoun, was named for the family.

Obituary: Mrs. Amanda Goss, Pioneer of This Section, Dies ~ Mrs. Amanda Virginia Goss, one of the valley's best known and most loved pioneer woman, passed away Sunday morning about 10 o'clock at her home in Fruita. The wife of the late William J. Goss, Mrs. Goss had made her home in this section for 53 years. Not only was she a pioneer of the west, but she was also the wife of a veteran of the Civil War.

Amanda Virgina Graybeal, daughter of Jacob and Rachel Graybeal, was born March 15, 1853, at Jefferson, N.C., and spent all of her childhood in that city. When she was 18 years of age she married William J. Goss and the couple lived on a plantation near Jefferson for 13 years. In 1884 the family came west to Pueblo, residing there for three years, and then coming to this valley. They made the long and arduous journey by wagon train with other early settlers traveling by way of Cochetopa pass and thru Gunnison. Mr. Goss farmed during their years of residence in this section, but was occupied mainly with his bee apiary and as a bee inspector.

In 1921 the couple celebrated their golden wedding anniversary at Fruita, where relatives and friends came from distances great and small to offer congratulations. Mr. Goss preceded his wife in death in 1922.

Mrs. Goss has been a member of the Methodist Church since childhood.

She is survived by eight sons and daughters, Mrs. Myrtle Pavey of Belgrade, Montana; Ellen Kilby of Fruita; Robert Goss of Ventura, California; Dade Goss of Fruita; Jake Goss of Fruita; Mrs. Sara Cuddy of Fruita; Mrs. Ida Goss of Fruita; Lulu Hill of Fruita; Morgan Goss of Fruita; also by 35 grandchildren, 35 great grandchildren and one great great grandchild. Seven sisters, who lived in North Carolina, preceded her in death.

Funeral services will be held from the Fruita Methodist Church Wednesday morning at 10 o'clock, with Rev. Beattie officiating. Burial will be in Elmwood Cemetery, Starks Funeral Home in charge.

Funeral services for Mrs. Amanda Virginia Goss were held this morning at 10 o'clock from the Methodist church in Fruita, with Rev. M. B. Beattie in charge. Burial was made at Elmwood Cemetery. Pallbearers were great grandchildren and grandsons of the deceased. They were Billy Byers and Frank White, great grandchildren; Charles White, William Goss, Cecil Cool and John Cuddy, grandsons.

Musical selections for the services were a vocal solo, "In the Sweet Bye and Bye," by Mrs. O. E. Daniels of Grand Junction, vocal duets, "In the Garden" and "The Old Rugged Cross," by Mrs. Mae Sanders and Mrs. Mary Maluy of Fruita, Mrs. Gilbert Miller accompanied the singers and also played a piano solo, "Going Home" as the funeral procession left the church.

The church was filled with friends of the deceased and her family, and many lovely floral offerings gave evidence of the esteem in which Mrs. Goss was held.

The deceased is survived by Mrs. Myrtle Pavey of Belgrade, Montana; Mrs. Ellen Kilby, Dade Goss, Jake Goss, Mrs. Sara Cuddy, Mrs. Lulu Hill and Morgan Goss all of Fruita; Robert F. Goss of Ventura, California; Mrs. Ida Golden of Grand Junction.