Vivian Miller Golden, 90, longtime resident of Crescent City, peacefully answered her Master's eternal call to come home on Monday evening, June 18, 2018 in Palatka. The daughter of Eugene and Willie Ann (Smith) Miller, she was a native of Hawkinsville, GA., born on Monday, July 18, 1927. As one of fourteen children, at an early age, the family moved to Sanford, FL., and she united with Triumph the Church and Kingdom of God in Christ. She met and united in marriage to James C. Golden, Jr., on January 1, 1947 and they briefly resided in Jacksonville and became proud parents of their first son, James T. Golden III. They relocated to Daytona Beach, where she enrolled in Bethune Cookman College (now Bethune-Cookman University), graduating in 1955 with a Bachelor's degree in History. They were blessed with three more children; daughter, Dietrich Jean (1949); son, Cornelius Scott (1953); and daughter, Yolanda Monique (1966). In 1968, her beloved husband, Reverend Golden accepted the call to become pastor of Jethro First Baptist Church of Crescent City as Mrs. Golden graciously became Jethro's First Lady (for 40+ years). Simultaneously, as Rev. Golden pastored Mt. Moriah Baptist Church of Hastings, Mrs. Golden was Mt. Moriah's First Lady (for 38 years.)

Mrs. Golden subsequently earned a Master's Degree in Counseling from FL A& M University (Tallahassee) and became the first African-American counselor in Volusia County Public School District. In 1977, she founded the Crescent City Women's Civic Association. Following in the footsteps of Dr. Mary McLeod-Bethune, Mrs. Golden wanted: (1) to create opportunities for youth to extend their educational pursuits and (2) to provide community programs to benefit senior citizens and those in need. With eight other visionary African-American women of South Putnam, they built, owned and operated the Community Resource Center located in Crescent City. Mrs. Golden worked and served the churches and community until declining health precluded her. On April 26, 2008, Rev. Golden, her husband of 61 years, preceded her in eternal rest. In 2015, she moved to Bradenton, FL, and united with Mount Zion AME church, under the pastoral guidance of her eldest son, Rev. James T. Golden. In addition to her parents and husband; she was preceded in eternal rest by her six brothers; four sisters.

She leaves to cherish her memories: sons & daughters, Rev. James T. (Mildred) Golden, III, Bradenton; Rev. Dietrich J. (Dunstan) Champagnie, Bishop Cornelius Scott (Flacy) Golden, Yolanda M. Golden, all of Crescent City; nine grandchildren, Vivian Louise (James); Faye Jessica-Maurine; Andrew James (Samantha); Alexis Leigh; Cornelius Scott, Jr.; Regina E.; Maurice (Veronica); Kahreem T. D.; and LyLeigha Oksana; 19 great-grandchildren, Antoinette, Elizabeth; Evelyn; Alexis; Bessie; Jahmai; Maiya; Jimy; Jonathan; Joshua; Cornelius III ; Derrick; Latoya; Marion; Devin; Tyreck; Naomi; London; Alexandra; two great- great-grandchildren, Von 'Tarius; Xmir Emree-Jawan; two sisters, Bernice "Mae Blossom" Meeks, Rochester, NY; Dorise "Gloristine" Dennis, Sanford; brother, Joshua Miller, Daytona Beach; brother-in-law, Willie "Demp" Dennis, Sanford; loving extended family, Evelyn Golden and Wilhelmina M. Golden; and a host of nieces and nephews; god-children; relatives; and friends.

Public visitation: 6-8 p.m., Tuesday, June 26 at Jethro First Baptist Church, 101 Cedar Street, Crescent City. Homegoing Celebration: 1 p.m., Wednesday, June 27 at Mt. Tabor First Baptist Church (South Putnam Campus), 608 Randolph Street, Crescent City. Reverend James T. Golden, Pastor of Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church, Port Tampa, is the eulogist.