Norma “Faye” Goldsmith, mother of Fresno City College President Carole Goldsmith, died on Jan. 20 at Kaweah Delta Medical Center in Visalia. She was 77.

President Goldsmith says her mother was known for her gracious hospitality, fiery red hair and southern colloquialisms. She was an avid gardener, chef, seamstress and crafter.

Born Norma Faye Whatley in Montgomery, Alabama, on April 6, 1940, Goldsmith migrated to Porterville with her family.  She would go on to marry her Porterville High School sweetheart Doyle “Sonny” Goldsmith on July 7, 1957.

Goldsmith co-founded and co-owned Day and Night Plumbing with her husband for more than 30 years and was also part owner of an Exeter restaurant and Visalia floral shop in the 1970s, her daughter said.

Goldsmith is survived by her husband, her daughter, grandchildren Chad and Chelsea Dobbs, great grandson Nathan Dobs, nieces Laura Marshall and Shelly Minimmi, nephew Larry Goldsmith and her two dogs, Foxy and Roxy.

She was preceded in death by her parents Velma and Clarence Whatley, and her brother Ray Whatley.

Services will be held on Jan. 26 at 11 a.m. at the Salser and Dillard Funeral Chapel at 127 E. Caldwell Ave. in Visalia. A graveside service will immediately follow at the Visalia Cemetery at 1300 W. Goshen Ave.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Goldsmith’s honor to Friends of Tulare County by calling 559-624-8000.