BAKERSVILLE, N.C. — Reverend George Lewis Gouge passed away peacefully on July 23rd, 2022. He was born in Bakersville, NC on February 10th, 1934. He was the son of Mack and Virgie Gouge. George graduated from Bowman Highschool and went straight to work at the US Government Mica Company. Years later he answered God’s calling and attended and graduated from Fruitland Bible Institute in 1962. George began preaching that same year and throughout his many years he touched the lives of people in various counties throughout North Carolina. He started in Yancey County and made his way through Mitchell, Montgomery, Columbus, Stanly, and Union County. George retired from the ministry in 2000 but continued to do interim preaching until 2011. To know George was to love George. He never met a stranger. He loved making new friends and sitting and talking with the old ones.
It was often joked that he could carry on a conversation with a brick wall. George was someone who had many friends because no matter what or when you called, George would be there. He also loved anything outdoors specifically hunting and fishing.
As a matter of fact, many of George’s sermons were derived from sitting outside and enjoying the peacefulness of God’s creation. Besides George’s love of friends, the outdoors, and the Lord; his one true love was his faithful wife of sixty-eight and a half years, Ms. Ella Sparks Gouge. George and Ella were married on February 22nd, 1954. They had two children Dennis and Sherry. Besides being a great mother, Ms. Ella was a true example of a preacher’s wife. She loved the Lord and all her church families just as much as George. George and Ella lived a beautiful life together and has been an inspiration to many people over the years, some even jokingly said that they one day hoped to be just like Mr. George and Ms. Ella.
Mr. George is certainly going to be missed. George is preceded in death by his son, Dennis Gouge, his parents Mack and Virgie Gouge and his sister Joyce Ellis. George is survived by his loving wife Ms. Ella Gouge, his daughter Sherry Koepp (Glenn), his sisters Jackie Thomas, Joanne Sullins, his brothers Jim Gouge, Bill Gouge (Jodi); his brother in laws Tom Sparks (Carolyn), Lewis Sparks (Anita), sister-in-law Ann Stewart (Nate); 2 step granddaughters, 5 step great-granddaughters, multiple nieces and nephews and many close friends and family members.
The family will visit with friends and family on Wednesday July 27th from 12:30 to 1:45 with the funeral starting at 2pm and the burial to immediately follow at Antioch Baptist Church in Monroe, NC. In Lieu of flowers donations can be made to the benevolence fund at Antioch Baptist Church. 6223 Love Mill Rd. Monroe, NC 28110