Sidney Evelyn Goldsby

Sidney Evelyn Goldsby passed away on April 7, 2025, in Woodbridge, Virginia. She was 81 years old. She is survived by her son, Keenan Goldsby, and his wife Germaine of Herndon, Virginia; and her granddaughters Jessica McCullough and her husband Sean of Denver, Colorado and Megan Goldsby of Durham, North Carolina. She was preceded in death by her husband of 35 years, William D. Goldsby, Jr., and her son Walter (Walt) Goldsby. Sidney was born on September 25, 1943, in Humboldt, Tennessee, to Albert J. and Evelyn Rogers. Following her graduation from Humboldt High School, where she was an excellent student and very talented trumpet player, Sidney matriculated to Vanderbilt University. While a student at Vanderbilt, Sidney fell in love and got married, which led to her leaving school and starting a family. Years later, and while raising two small children, Sidney returned to college and graduated from the University of Alabama with a degree in English/History. Sidney was a loving and generous wife, mother, and grandmother, who was extremely devoted to her family. While she possessed varied individual interests and significant individual talents, Sidney’s greatest gift was her ability to lift up others. She was a steadfast companion to her husband throughout his career at NASA during the glory days of America’s space program. She dedicated herself to providing her children with opportunities to pursue their interests, tirelessly driving them to, volunteering at, and cheering them on during, their various activities. She loved the time she could spend with her granddaughters, taking them on interesting and fun excursions, serving as the “Candy Lady” during their Fox Hunt swim meets, and attending every single concert or performance they were involved in. Sidney/Mom/Grandma was the constant source of security and support her family could always depend on. Beyond her family, Sidney’s generosity and altruism extended to her friends and her community. She was a fun and always willing traveling companion to the many friends who accompanied her on trips literally across the world. She loved joining with friends to attend music concerts and cultural performances. Her charitable and community activities were impressive and included: feeding and clothing the homeless, providing adult literacy tutoring, helping people obtain their United States citizenship, serving at her church, and volunteering in several capacities at her retirement community. Nothing better symbolized Sidney’s spirit of giving than the jar of candy outside of her apartment at Westminster, which she insisted be kept well-stocked with the most delicious candy, even when her physical challenges made it difficult for her to walk to her front door. Services will be held at St. Paul United Methodist Church in Woodbridge, VA, on April 26, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers and in honor of her spirit of generosity, donations may be made in Sidney’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or St. Paul United Methodist Church Emergency Assistance.

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Sidney Evelyn Goldsby

April 7, 2025