Goble James Francis was born on 29 March, 1913, in Marion, Smyth County Virginia. Little is known of his early childhood, though he lived in a time when segregation and race discrimination damaged African Americans. James still studied and worked hard to support his family despite these difficulties. This article has more details you may like to know about James Francis Gloe’s impact during in life time and his legacy after death.
Family of James Francis Goble
In 1939, James Francis married Katherine Coleman. Katherine was a mathematician who worked with NASA and helped launch the U.S. James and Katherine had 3 daughters; Constance, Joylette and Katherine Goble. The family moved to Newport News, Virginia, in 1953, when Katherine began working for the National Advisory Committee on Aeronautics – later NASA.
Career and Contributions
James Goble taught chemistry while Katherine worked her brilliant career. He was a supportive husband and father when Katherine faced many professional hurdles because of her race and gender. James devoted his time to his family so Katherine could work on calculations for space missions and for breaking down barriers to STEM careers for African American women.
The Death of James Francis Goble
An inoperable brain tumor was found in James Goble in 1956. His illness really tore the family apart emotionally and financially. Katherine also worked extra hours to help the family through this difficult time. On December 20, 1956, James passed at age 43. His passing was a horrible loss for his family though his legacy continues in the work of his daughters and wife.
Katherine Johnson – James Goble’s Wife
James wife, Katherine Johnson, was a mathematician whose work at NASA helped launch the U.S. Born August 26, 1918, at White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, Katherine was gifted in math from a young age. Her degrees are from West Virginia State College in mathematics and French. She calculated trajectories for the Mercury and Apollo missions and was a precise problem solver at NASA.
Katherine won many awards and distinctions all through her career, most recently the Presidential Medal of Freedom for 2015 and Congressional Gold Medal for 2019. She is portrayed in the 2016 film “Hidden Figures” about African American women at NASA.
In 1959, three years after James Goble’s death, Katherine married James A. “Jim” Johnson, a United States Army officer and Korean War veteran. Jim Johnson supported Katherine for 60 years until his death in 2019. He helped Katherine continue advocating for women and minorities in STEM fields.
James Francis Goble’s Children – Constance, Joylette, and Katherine Goble
James and Katherine raised their three daughters Constance, Joylette and Katherine in an environment that valued education and perseverance. The family emphasizes the importance of a stable home and upbringing for children. As a result, James Francis Goble’s legacy have continued through his children.
Like her parents, Constance Goble Garcia taught and worked in education. Joylette Goble Hylick was a computer analyst and project manager, following in her mother’s footstep as a technologist. In the same view, Katherine Goble Moore has taught and mentored in the academic community.
