Longest serving county commissioner Whit Goins passes

TOP PHOTO: Whit Goins served 44 years as a Campbell County Commissioner.

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – WLAF was proud to honor Whit Goins and his 50 years of public service with a story from Charlotte Underwood in August. This morning, WLAF is sad to announce Whit Goins passing. The family man and community leader died on Wednesday, according to his family.

On his Facebook page, Goins son Mark, Tennessee Coordinator of Elections, wrote: “I am honored to be the son of Whit Goins. I am going to miss him so much. He was the best dad. He loved his family, friends and community. The pain and sadness I feel right now I know will be replaced with a peace knowing he is Heaven bound. But right now it hurts.”

After half a century of serving Campbell County’s first district, Whit Goins officially retired from running for office in 2022. Goins had six years on the Campbell County School board and 44 years as a commissioner under his belt. 

He said he is the “longest serving commissioner that he knows of” and that it had been a “pleasure to serve the people of the first district” over the years.  Goins also said he had enjoyed working with his fellow commissioners.

He said he is most proud of his and the commission’s efforts at having water access provided throughout the first district. 

Other accomplishments he is proud of include building new schools, the new jail, and many others. 

He was first elected to the school board in 1970. Since then, he has “only been beat twice.” The first time he lost on the school board, he ran for county commission. 

The obituary for Goins is incomplete and will be announced over WLAF when completed. Cross-Smith Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Whit Goins was 82 years old. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 10/13/2022-6AM)