Melvin Goins

Melvin Goins, 82, of Catlettsburg, passed away Friday, July 29, 2016 at the West Nipissing General Hospital in Sturgeon Falls, Ontario Canada. He was there, in North Bay, to play at the River Valley Bluegrass Jamboree. One of ten children born to the late Glen and Pearl Dillion Goins, Melvin was born and raised in the Bluefield, WV area. In addition to his parents he was also preceded in death by his brothers Ray, Conley and Roger Goins.

Melvin was a lifelong Bluegrass Musician and Entertainer. He and his late brother Ray were self-taught musicians and in their earlier years played a lot of school shows in the area and introduced people to traditional music. He was very humble, talented and generous. He always had a big smile and loved to make people laugh and loved to tell stories. He was a member of the Stinson Church of Christ. Melvin was the first bluegrass artist to appear on the cover of the Smithsonian Magazine and was presented with the Appalachian Treasure Award. The Goins Brothers were also inducted into the Music Hall of Fame in both Kentucky and West Virginia and are included in the International Bluegrass Music Museum’s oral history project. He was inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Association Hall of Fame with The Lonesome Pine Fiddlers. He recorded with his brother Ray as the Goins Brothers and with various other artists on numerous labels over the years. 

Survivors include his loving wife Willia Woods Goins of Catlettsburg, son Gregory Goins and wife Pamela of Elkhorn City, KY, daughters Barbara Trojack and husband Kevin of Columbus, OH, Billie Jo Huffman and husband Roger of Catlettsburg, grandchildren, Michael Huffman, Kenneth Diamond, Monty (Teresa) Derefield, Shana (Bryan Lee) Derefield, Seth Goins, Zachary Goins, brothers, James Goins and wife Arlene of Bluefield, WV, Walter Goins of Bluefield, WV, Harold Goins and wife Elsie of Princeton, WV, Kelly Goins and wife Vickie of Bramwell, WV, Donnie Goins and wife Betty of Bramwell, WV, sister Judy Bragg and husband Harry of Beckley, WV, many great and great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and a host of extended family and friends.

Funeral services will be held 1:00 pm Monday, August 8, 2016 at the Steen Funeral Home, 13th St. Chapel by Pastor Tim Ratliff. Entombment will be in the East Carter Memory Gardens in Grayson.

Visitation will be from 2-9 pm Sunday at the Funeral Home.

Online condolence to www.steenfuneralhome.com