Abney, Mildred Imogean

Other Events and Attributes:

• Obituary: 28 Aug 2004, The Ledger; Imogean Goggans Obituary HAINES CITY -- Education was very important to Mrs. Imogean Goggans, who returned to school in her 50s to earn a nursing degree from Polk Community College."She was a very tough woman and very strong on education," her daughter, Keitha Yager of Haines City, said. "For my children, every Christmas, birthday -- anytime she could find them -- books were bought. My mother was very adamant about reading."The retired nursing assistant for Lake Wales Hospital died of lung failure Tuesday (Aug. 24, 2004) at Winter Haven Hospital. She was 81.Born in Rector, Ark., on June 11, 1923, she came to Haines City from Missouri 50 years ago.Mrs. Goggans was a homemaker while her children were young. She did not work outside the home until her husband died in 1975."She thought that nursing was something that she might like," Yager said. "She went out and got her education and went back to work. She went to PCC and was on the dean's list for two years. She loved it."After 13 years in the nursing industry, Mrs. Goggans retired from Lake Wales Hospital in 1988.She maintained a very active role in her children's lives when they were growing up and later played a large role in the lives of her grandchildren."She never missed a program with my girls," Yager said. "She sat on the bench while my daughter was on the dance team just so she could watch her at halftime."Yager described her mother as a very independent lady."At the apartment complex that she lived in, there is this little girl (whose parents) are very protective of her," Yager said. "But if (my mother) saw her out, she would swing on the swing with her in the afternoons. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Lake Hamilton. Mrs. Goggans was preceded in death by her husband, E.E. Goggans; daughter, Jackie Martin; and son, Kenny Goggans. In addition to her daughter, she is survived by her son, Roger Goggans, Vassar, Mich.; sister, Betty Reeves, Davenport; seven grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren. Memorial services will be held at a later date. Cremation Services of Mid-Florida, Davenport. To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store. Published by The Ledger on Aug. 28, 2004.