A life of public service came to an end Tuesday evening with the passing of former Carlisle mayor Janie Goree.

Mrs. Goree, 87, died shortly after 7 p.m. at Agape Senior, West Columbia where she lived for the past few years. Born in Maybinton in Newberry County on Jan. 24, 1921, she was one of the nine children of Orlander Tobias and Chaney Glymph. Mrs. Goree worked as a domestic to put herself through Benedict College in Columbia where she graduated Magna Cum Laude as Valedictorian in 1948. In 1959, Mrs. Goree received her Masters Degree in Basic Sciences and Mathematics from the University of Colorado.

From 1948 to 1981, Mrs. Goree taught math at Sims High School and Union High School. She also sponsored and taught a number of extracurricular literacy and academic programs.

In 1978, Mrs. Goree made history by becoming the first black woman elected mayor of an incorporated municipality in South Carolina. She served 22 years as Carlisle’s mayor, securing numerous grants to improve the town’s water and sewer systems, build recreation facilities, establish its fire department and build the town hall which is named in her honor.

Mayor Mary Ferguson Glenn praised Mrs. Goree’s years of service to the town, pointing out that many of the services and facilities residents enjoy are the result of her efforts.

“A pioneer, a great woman, a great politician,” Mrs. Glenn said. “She lives on in Carlisle because when we look out at the playground and see the children playing her legacy of service to the community lives on. She built the foundation of modern Carlisle with the town hall, the fire department, the baseball field and many other services.”

Union County Council member Dora Martin remembered Mrs. Goree as both a community leader and an educator.

“Mrs. Goree was a very likable person, she was determined to do the very best she could for her town and county,” she said. “She was also a very good teacher, she taught me. I’m very sorry to hear about her death, she’d done so much for her community.”

Mrs. Goree received numerous honors during her life including a profile in the 1993 South Carolina African-American History Calendar during her birth month of May. The profile included the following quote:

“If you are capable and willing it makes no difference if you are black, white, yellow, red, or purple,” she said. “With God's help, you can do anything you want to do. Whatever you do, do the very best you can. Even if it is digging a ditch, dig it well and dig it deep.”

Funeral arrangements will be announced later.