JULY 1 – Louis Carver Gould Sr. was born January 25, 1940 to Lewis Perry and Halistine Graham Gould in Loris, South Carolina. He was the second oldest of the five children born in the family. God called his faithful servant home on Monday, June 28, 2010 from Southside Community Hospital in Farmville.

Rev. Gould graduated in 1957, in the first graduating class of Finklea High School in Loris. He continued his education for one year at South Carolina State College (now University). He then enlisted in the United States Army, where he served honorably for over 21 years, receiving numerous awards and citations, including a Bronze Star Medal.

He was joined in Holy Matrimony to Mary Louise Copeland on November 30, 1962. Three sons were born to this union. The young family traveled the world as he fulfilled his obligation of serving his country. After retiring from the military, they settled their family in Cumberland County. He gained employment with the United States Postal Service, serving 24 years.

Growing up in a devotedly Christian family, Rev. Gould accepted Christ as his personal savior at an early age, was baptized, and joined the Mt. Rona Missionary Baptist Church. Upon his relocation to Cumberland, he united with Midway Baptist Church, the home church of his wife.

He received the call to the ministry in May 1985 and was ordained in February 1986. He was called to pastor two churches, Mt. Zion Second Baptist Church of Green Bay and New Hope Baptist Church of Keysville. His testimony can be stated in the words of the Apostle James in Chapter 1, verses 2-3 -“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.”

Rev. Gould was a loving husband, doting grandfather, and a caring, compassionate friend. His strong military reserve, and his quiet observance of people, was only part of who he was. He had a serious sense of humor, where you could only tell he was joking by the twinkle in his eyes. He and Mary opened their home to all and no one ever left hungry.

He leaves to cherish wonderful memories, his loving wife of 48 years, Mary Gould; three sons, Louis Carver Jr., Michael Anthony, and Ronald Lester Gould; seven grandchildren, Michael Anthony Jr., Aaron, and Genise, whom he helped raise, Latrese, Louis C. III, Kiera, and Brittany; his father, Lewis P. Gould; two sisters, Gloria Gould and Pat Lilly (Eddie); two brothers, John P. Gould (Barbara) and Grover Gould; three sisters-in-law, Martha Booker, Shirley Henderson, and Sarah Baker; four brothers-in-law, William, Jack, James, and George (Edith) Copeland; his extended church families, and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

A funeral service will be held 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 3, at Prince Edward County High School Auditorium. Interment with military rites will be held at the Midway Baptist Church Cemetery in Cumberland County. Public viewing will be held Friday at the funeral home from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Bland-Reid Funeral Home, Farmville, is in charge of service.