On Thursday, January 4, 2024 at her home, surrounded by her loved ones, Josephine Martin Merchant heard her Master's call and peacefully ascended to her heavenly home in glory. Affectionately referred to as Jo or Jojo, she was born on March 4, 1938 to her parents, Sarah Harris (deceased) and Joseph Martin (deceased) in Fayette County, Pennsylvania.

Josephine loved her home and happily resided in Fairmont, WV for the major portion of her life and believed that whatever was going "wrong" in your life all you needed to do was to "come home" to Fairmont and all your life issues and concerns would be resolved (LOL). As a young woman she'd spend summers in Brooklyn, New York living with family and working to earn money for school clothes etc. She attended the historic Dunbar School in Fairmont, WV where she was a Dunbar Marching Tigers Majorette with the high school band. She went on to graduate from West Fairmont Senior High in 1956, and briefly attended Fairmont State College.

In 1958, Josephine united in holy matrimony wither first husband, Henry A. Goldson, Jr. To that union seven children were born, Deborah (deceased), Toni, Valerie (deceased) Gail, Veronica, Avis and Michael. Josephine was of strong faith and belief in Christ dedicating her life and being baptized as a young woman by Reverend Nelson Gray at Morning Star Baptist Church where she was a life-long contributing member. She held a few domestic positions and was also employed with Westinghouse Electric Company (North American Phillips), Fairmont State College and Marion County Senior Citizens where she served as a caregiver and found this work to be the most fulfilling to her as she shared her love and caring with others. Josephine was full of joy and laughter and truly enjoyed socializing, sharing stories of old with family and friends, collecting recipes, traveling, music, dancing, eating seafood and anything with peanut butter in it, along with sitting on her porch, attending church and going to concerts. She would unite in marriage two additional times in her life to Samuel McCoy (deceased) and Vernon Merchant (deceased).

Josephine was blessed with 11 grandchildren, Willie D. (deceased), Cedric, Jameikka, Willie G., Kiesha, Natasha (deceased), Artesia, Joseph (Topp), Jahmoni, Quincy, Jada, 16 great grandchildren and 4 great great grandchildren. She leaves to mourn her sister, Margie Collins of Imperial, PA and sons, brother, Joseph (Tojo) Martin, sisters-in-law, Claudette G. Warner of Tobyhanna, PA and children, Lois G. Moore and a son of Fairmont and brother-in-law, Elliott Goldson (Christy) and sons, of Port Saint Lucie. FL, a loving and supportive nephew James Pierre Glass of Morgantown, WV and dear friends, Elsie (Bennie) Kyle of Fairmont, WV and Dorothy Ferrell of Fairmont, WV, along with a host of other extended relatives, cousins, nieces, nephews and good friends.

Death is very much a part of life, and it has a cycle. Aside from Josephine's dearly departed loved ones who included parents, grandparents, husbands, children and grandchildren, Josephine was preceded in death by Henry Sr. and Juanita Beckham Goldson, Aunt, Melnee (Miss) Harris, Cousin, John Melvin (Bobby) Washington, Sister, Gardenia (Deanie) Joyce Williamson, Brothers-in-law, Ronald V. Williamson, Sr., and David T. Goldson, Nieces Cheryl Renee (Sherry) Williamson Freeman, Anita Joyce Warner, Simone Renee Collins and Kassia Marie Williamson.

Domico Funeral Home of Fairmont, WV has been entrusted with arrangements. The Family will receive friends at Morning Star Baptist Church, 100 McKinney St., Fairmont, WV on Saturday, January 13, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. The funeral will follow immediately after viewing with Pastor James A. (Tony) Jones officiating and Reverend Wesley Q. Dobbs eulogizing. Repass will be held at the church following Interment at Evergreen Cemetery. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.domicofh.com.