Sheena Goans Cruse, 43, passed away tragically of cardiac arrest at her home in Greensboro, N.C., on May 12, 2026.
She was born in Wake County, N.C., on August 30, 1982, to her parents, James Richard Goans and Connie Pruitt Goans. She was the youngest of three children with two older brothers, Randy Shirley and James Goans. Her dad proudly served in the Air Force, moving their family from North Carolina to California to Japan and finally retiring in Mooresville, N.C., where she graduated from Mooresville Senior High School.
She battled with opiate addiction for several years and then entered Freedom House, where she met Jesus in a personal way and was delivered into a clean and sober life. Hannah’s Haven was a big part of her spiritual journey and a place of encouragement in her ongoing growth and maturity. She began working at Friendly Pet Store, eventually becoming a store manager and serving as a helping mother figure to the younger employees at the store.
During this time, she was raising her daughter Savannah when she began to build a relationship and later married Shaun Cruse on November 23, 2019, at Grace Community Church. They welcomed their daughter Paisley Kathleen Cruse on October 4, 2021. Their nephew, Chase, came to live with them as part of their family. Sheena was an amazing mom, wife, sister, aunt, cousin and friend, and she leaves behind so many people whose lives are better because they knew her. She loved to swim, loved to help people and was a champion for the underdog. She had a great sense of humor, a beautiful smile and was always making others laugh. She loved her communities at Grace Church, Hannah’s Haven and Freedom House.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Jim and Connie Goans, and her brother, James Goans (Rebecca). She is survived by her husband Shaun; their two daughters, Savannah and Paisley; and her uncle and aunt, Bill and Joann Goans; and extended family. We are all heart-broken but know she is whole, healed and rejoicing in heaven. What a reunion she is having with her family and Jesus.
A celebration of life service, officiated by Will Dungee and Bill Goans, will be held Saturday, May 30, at 10:30 a.m. at Grace Community Church with a reception to follow in the Eagle’s Nest.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either Freedom House at https://www.helpfreedomhouse.org/donate or mail a check to P.O. Box 23, Summerfield, NC 27358 and put in memory of Sheena Goans in the memo line; or to Hannah’s Haven at https://giving.myamplify.io//app/giving/ncs-3989 or mail a check to Hannah’s Haven, P.O. Box 14724, Greensboro, NC 27415 and put in memory of Sheena Goans on the memo line.
Cavin-Cook Funeral Home, Mooresville, is serving the Cruse family. Condolences may be made to the family at www.cavin-cook.com.