Nancy Goss
Nancy Fitzwater Dragoo Goss died at age 95 on August 15, 2015, just short of her 96th birthday.
Nancy was born in Brooklyn NY in 1919 and moved to Signal Mountain in 1927 with her parents, John and Julia Fitzwater and her sister Joan. Her father, a civil engineer, was brought to Signal Mountain by Mr. C.E. James to build the road up the mountain. In 1930, due to the Depression, the family traveled north in a Model T to stay with grandparents in Penn Yan, NY. Several years later, when they were able, they returned to Signal Mountain. Nancy and Joan loved swimming at Rainbow Lake and attending dances at “the hotel.” Nancy attended Signal Mountain Elementary and they were charter members of Signal Mountain Presbyterian Church.
Nancy married her teen sweetheart, Richard “Bud” Dragoo in 1940 and they enjoyed fishing, golfing, and winters at a dude ranch in Arizona. They had three children, Anne, Susan, and Dick. They raised their family at 308 Brady Point Road which was active with neighborhood children and pets. The home front was held together by Minnie Davis who became Nancy’s best friend. Nancy was known for her joy of life, her smiles, and caring for others. She loved gardening, teaching the Bible, and being outdoors – everything from mowing the grass to sledding on the golf course. Bud’s favorite statement was “Nancy puts dinner on high and then goes out in the yard!” She was not known for her cooking! Her children were her greatest gift, as were her friends and church. She loved her beautiful Signal Mountain and often said, “it’s the greatest place in the world to raise children and dogs.”
After Bud died, Nancy later married her childhood friend, John Goss. They had a wonderful time together, living at Boston Branch and traveling the world. In her later years she moved to Alexian Village and enjoyed the community and her friends.
Nancy would tell you that her secret of life was taken from Philippians 4. “Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but with prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Nancy is survived by her daughters, Anne (Gary) Ramsey; Susan (Jim) Sasse; and her sister, Joan Baird. Her daughters-in-law, Linda Dragoo and Lisa Dragoo. Her grandchildren Michael Tabb, John and Elizabeth Sasse, Julia and Alex Dragoo, and Gray, Brian, and Stephen Ramsey. She loved her nieces and nephews: Julia, Bruce, and Libby Baird and her Birmingham cousins the Diethelms.
The service will be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 18, at Signal Mountain Presbyterian Marr Chapel with burial following at Forest Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be at Alexian, 4th floor, on Sunday, from 4-6 p.m.
Donations can be made in her name to Signal Mountain Presbyterian Church.
Arrangements are by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson.
Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com.