Nola Goodwin Bays, 95, died on Friday, Dec. 9, 2016, at her home in Greenville, N.C. She was born on November 25, 1921, one of twelve children of James and Effie Goodwin in Creek County, Oklahoma. She was married to Carson W. Bays Sr. from Aug. 20, 1938, until his death on Jan. 1, 1966. They are survived by a son, Dr. Carson W Bays Jr., his wife Judy, grandchildren Christopher Jason Bays, Jessica Barnes and husband Robert Barnes, great granddaughters Jacqueline Mary, Rebecca Carson, and Wesley Anne Barnes and numerous nieces and nephews. Nola grew up in central Oklahoma and the Rio Grande Valley of Texas. After marriage she lived in California and Virginia before settling in north central Texas in 1951. She had a long career as a bookkeeper for several firms and retired as the payroll official in 1990 from Hampson Aerospace Corporation of Arlington, Texas. She was an active member of the First Methodist Church of Grand Prairie, Texas, until moving to Greenville in 2005 where she joined Jarvis Memorial Methodist Church. Nola was a strong, independent women with a contagious sense of humor. She was the family storyteller, a gifted cook, and a loving mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. Memorial services will be arranged by Hughes Funeral Home in Dallas, Texas. Interment will be at Southland Memorial Park in Grand Prairie, Texas, in accord with her wish to be buried next to her late husband. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Jarvis Memorial Methodist Church, 510 S Washington St, Greenville, NC 27858. Her family is especially grateful for the kindness and consideration of the pastoral staff of Jarvis. Arrangements by Wilkerson Funeral Home & Crematory. Online condolences at www.wilkersonfuneralhome.com.