Winona
Funeral Home
Oliver Funeral Home
Visitation
Saturday, April 13 from 9-11 a.m., First Baptist, Winona
Service
11am, Saturday, April 13, First Baptist Church, Winona
Obituary
Military Service Tribute, Honors, and Obituary
Recognizing and Honoring a Fallen Hero, Who Served Within the Mississippi National Guard. “Fallen, Yet Not Forgotten”
In recognition of our proud American tradition of honorable service which our military men and women have given to their country and our State, we honor a Fallen Hero. Our nation, our state, and the National Guard Association of MS (NGAMS) regard the memorializing of its retired military deceased as an honorable and sacred obligation.
Another great Soldier and Fallen Hero has been released from duty, passed from our ranks on April 6, 2024, and has moved on to his heavenly home. Retired Sergeant First Class Irby Rudone “Rudy” Goldman, age 87, who had served within the MSARNG in the 1st Battalion, 114th Field Artillery has departed and gone to a better place with our good Lord.
It takes a special person to serve within the military for their country, giving up their family time, comfort, and safety for their country, ultimately for all Americans to enjoy their freedoms, safety, and way of life. We now applaud you for your service to our country. A special message from General Douglas McArthur remains applicable today for our servicemen that have passed: “Old Soldiers never die; they just fade away”.
Rest in Peace Soldier. We applaud your patriotism, sacrifices, and brave efforts in serving our country and your family for their support of your service. We thank you for your service. Without your efforts and your families’ support, our country would not stand so boldly, shine so bright, and live so free.
You now have earned a rest, so go fly with the Angels, go rest high on that mountain; your work on earth is done. Go to heaven a-shoutin’ Love for the Father and the Son.
Another great Soldier has gone home, “Fallen, Yet Not Forgotten, Soldier for Life”.
Obituary, Visitation, and Service details:
Irby Rudone “Rudy” Goldman, beloved husband and devoted father, passed away peacefully at the age of 87, surrounded by his loving family on April 6, 2024.
Rudy was a pillar of strength, a man of unwavering faith, and a shining example of goodness to all who knew him. He retired after 36 years as a forester for International Paper Company. He also retired as a Sergeant 1st Class with the Mississippi Army National Guard. His gentle spirit and kind heart touched the lives of everyone he encountered. He led by example, teaching the importance of family, hard work, and above all, love. He lived his life in accordance with God’s word, spreading love and kindness wherever he went.
Rudy was preceded in death by his parents, Irby Goldman and Martele Goldman Griffin, first wife, Carol Ann, daughter, Rhodonna, and second wife, Bonnie. He is survived by his brother, Durwood (Sue) Goldman and sister, Geraldine Boyles, his daughter Lesa Goldman and son, James (Jennifer) Key, along with his grandchildren Tyler (Heather) Politz, Brittany (Blake) Powell, Anna (Keo) Hill, Mary Ashley Hammons, Regan Key, and Hannah Key as well as seven great-grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews.
The family would also like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Home Health, Hospice, Carolyn Blake, Jacy Herod, Henrietta Smith, and Bobbie Jo Williams for their care during his illness.
A celebration of Rudy’s life will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 13 at the First Baptist Church of Winona, where he served as a life deacon, with Rev. Jay Anderson officiating the service. The committal service will be held at 3:00 p.m. at Hope Cemetery in Philadelphia, MS on Saturday, April 13. Pallbearers will be Scott Boyles, Keo Hill, Tyler Politz, Blake Powell, Matthew Lawalin. and Jon Reuben Chesteen. Honorary pallbearers will be Larry Randle, John Johnson, and the deacon body of First Baptist Church of Winona.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, April 13 from 9:00 a.m. until service time at the church.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Rudy’s honor to First Baptist Church of Winona, PO Box 408, Winona, MS 38967 or to The Gideon’s International, PO Box 388, Winona, MS 38967 or online at www.gideons.org/donate.