Quick Bio of Joylette Goble
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Joylette Goble |
| Named After | Grandmother Joylette Coleman |
| Mother | Katherine Johnson |
| Father | James Francis Goble |
| Siblings | Constance Goble, Katherine Goble |
| Nationality | American |
| Famous For | Daughter of NASA mathematician Katherine Johnson |
| Mother’s Death | February 24, 2020 |
When we talk about American history and the incredible contributions made to space exploration, the name Katherine Johnson shines brightly among the stars. However, behind every great woman stands a loving family that supports and cherishes her work. Joylette Goble is one such family member who has been closely connected to the remarkable story of her mother. As the eldest daughter of the legendary NASA mathematician Katherine Johnson, Joylette Goble holds a special place in American history. She witnessed firsthand the struggles and triumphs of her mother during one of the most challenging periods in American society. Her name carries deep emotional significance as she was named after her beloved grandmother, Joylette Coleman. Today, many people want to learn more about this amazing woman who grew up watching her mother calculate rocket trajectories and help send Americans into space.
Who is Joylette Goble?
Joylette Goble is the eldest daughter of Katherine Johnson and James Francis Goble. She was born during a time when racial segregation was still prevalent in the United States. Growing up in such circumstances was not easy, but Joylette had the advantage of having two incredibly strong and determined parents. Her mother Katherine Johnson worked at NASA (then called NACA) as a mathematician and was one of the brilliant minds who helped America win the space race. Joylette Goble grew up watching her mother break barriers and achieve things that many thought were impossible for an African American woman during that era. Her father, James Francis Goble, was a supportive husband who encouraged Katherine to pursue her dreams even when society tried to hold her back.
The name Joylette holds special meaning in the family as she was named after her maternal grandmother, Joylette Coleman. This naming tradition shows the deep connection and respect the family had for their elders. Joylette Coleman was known for being a strong woman who instilled the values of education and hard work in her children. These same values were passed down to Joylette Goble, who grew up understanding the importance of perseverance and dedication. Throughout her life, Joylette has remained relatively private compared to the fame her mother achieved, especially after the release of the movie “Hidden Figures” in 2016.
Date of Birth and Age
Many people frequently search for information about Joylette Goble’s exact date of birth and current age. While specific birth records are not widely publicized to protect the family’s privacy, we know that Joylette was born in the early years of her parents’ marriage. Katherine Johnson married James Francis Goble in 1939, and they had three daughters together during their marriage. Joylette, being the eldest daughter, was likely born in the early 1940s. This would place her age in her early eighties as of now. The family has always maintained a level of privacy regarding exact personal details, which is completely understandable given the public attention they received after their mother became famous.
What we do know is that Joylette Goble was old enough to remember her father, James Francis Goble, who tragically passed away from brain cancer in December 1956. This means she was a young girl or teenager when she lost her father, which must have been an incredibly difficult experience for the entire family. Despite this tragedy, Joylette and her sisters were raised with love and strength by their mother, who continued to work at NASA while also being a devoted parent. The exact Joylette Goble age and birthday details remain somewhat private, but her life story continues to inspire many people around the world.
Joylette Goble Parents
Understanding Joylette Goble’s parents helps us appreciate the remarkable family she comes from. Her mother, Katherine Johnson, was born on August 26, 1918, in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. Katherine showed exceptional mathematical abilities from a very young age and graduated from high school at just 14 years old. She went on to attend West Virginia State College, where she excelled in her studies and graduated summa cum laude with degrees in mathematics and French. Katherine’s brilliant mind would later help NASA achieve some of its greatest accomplishments, including calculating the trajectory for Alan Shepard’s historic spaceflight and John Glenn’s orbital mission around Earth.
James Francis Goble, Joylette’s father, was a chemistry teacher who married Katherine in 1939. He was a loving husband and father who supported Katherine’s career ambitions at a time when society expected women to stay home. Together, they had three daughters: Joylette, Constance, and Katherine. Sadly, James Francis Goble passed away from brain cancer in December 1956, leaving Katherine to raise their three daughters alone. Despite this tremendous loss, James’ memory lived on in the family, and his support had already helped Katherine establish herself in her career. The love between James Francis Goble and Katherine Johnson produced three wonderful daughters, with Joylette being the eldest who carries forward their legacy.
Grandparents and Family Heritage
The story of Joylette Goble’s family goes back to her grandparents, who played a crucial role in shaping the values of their descendants. Her maternal grandmother, Joylette Coleman, was the person after whom she was named. Joylette Coleman was a teacher who understood the importance of education and made sure her children received the best learning opportunities possible. Her maternal grandfather, Joshua Coleman, worked as a farmer and later as a handyman at the Greenbrier Hotel in White Sulphur Springs. Both grandparents faced the challenges of living in a segregated society but never let those obstacles prevent them from dreaming big for their children.
Joshua Coleman recognized his daughter Katherine’s exceptional mathematical talent early on and made significant sacrifices to ensure she received proper education. In fact, the family relocated so that Katherine could attend a school that offered classes beyond the eighth grade for African American students. This dedication to education became a cornerstone of the family’s values and was passed down through generations. Joylette Goble grew up knowing the sacrifices her grandparents made and the barriers her mother broke. This rich family heritage has given Joylette a unique perspective on American history and the civil rights movement.
Career and Professional Life
While Joylette Goble’s mother became world-famous for her contributions to space science, Joylette herself has led a more private professional life. Information about Joylette Goble’s specific career and job is not extensively documented in public records. This privacy is likely intentional, as the family has always tried to maintain some separation between their personal lives and the public attention that came with Katherine Johnson’s fame. What we do know is that Joylette, like her mother, valued education and hard work, principles that were instilled in her from childhood.
Growing up with a mother who was one of the first African American women to work as a NASA mathematician certainly influenced Joylette’s understanding of career possibilities. She saw firsthand that women could excel in any field they chose, regardless of the barriers society might place before them. Whether Joylette pursued a career in science, education, or another field entirely, she carried with her the lessons learned from watching her mother’s determination and success. The Goble and Johnson families have always emphasized the importance of making meaningful contributions to society, and this value has shaped the professional choices of all family members.
Is Still Alive?
One of the most frequently asked questions about Joylette Goble is whether she is still alive. Based on available information, Joylette Goble is believed to be still living. She was present at many of the ceremonies and events honoring her mother in the years leading up to Katherine Johnson’s death on February 24, 2020. Joylette and her surviving sister, Constance Goble, have been involved in preserving their mother’s legacy and participating in various commemorative events. The family experienced a significant loss when Katherine Goble, one of Joylette’s sisters (named after their mother), passed away in 2019, just a year before Katherine Johnson herself died.
The death of Katherine Johnson at age 101 was a profound loss for the family and for American history as a whole. Joylette Goble, along with her sister Constance, has continued to honor their mother’s memory by participating in events and allowing their mother’s story to be told. While Joylette maintains her privacy, her presence at family events and memorial services confirms that she continues to be an active part of preserving the Johnson family legacy. The exact details of her current health and living situation are private, which is the family’s right to maintain.
Three Daughters
Katherine Johnson was blessed with three daughters from her first marriage to James Francis Goble. Joylette Goble was the eldest, followed by Constance Goble and Katherine Goble (often called Kathy). All three daughters grew up in a household where education was paramount and where they witnessed their mother making history. Each daughter developed her own personality and path in life while sharing the common bond of being raised by one of America’s most brilliant minds. The three sisters supported each other through various life challenges, including the early death of their father and the later fame that came to their mother.
Tragically, Katherine Goble (the youngest daughter named after her mother) passed away in 2019. This loss was devastating for the family, and Katherine Johnson reportedly struggled with this loss in the final year of her own life. Joylette and Constance have remained as the surviving daughters who continue to honor their family’s remarkable legacy. The bond between these sisters was strengthened by their shared experiences of growing up as the children of a pioneering African American woman in STEM. Their story represents not just one family’s journey but the broader experience of African American families during the civil rights era.
The Impact of Hidden Figures
The 2016 movie “Hidden Figures” brought worldwide attention to Katherine Johnson and the other African American women who worked at NASA during the space race. This sudden fame also affected Joylette Goble and her entire family. For decades, Katherine Johnson’s contributions had been largely unknown to the general public. The book by Margot Lee Shetterly and the subsequent film starring Taraji P. Henson changed everything. Suddenly, the Goble and Johnson families were thrust into the spotlight, with people wanting to know everything about Katherine’s personal life and her children.
For Joylette Goble, this attention was both a blessing and a challenge. On one hand, she was thrilled that her mother was finally receiving the recognition she deserved for her groundbreaking work. On the other hand, the increased public attention meant less privacy for the family. Joylette attended several premieres and events related to the movie and spoke about her pride in her mother’s achievements. The film helped educate a new generation about the contributions of African American women to science and space exploration. Joylette Goble’s role in supporting her mother during this period of late-life fame demonstrated the deep love and respect that characterized their family relationships.
A Life in the Shadow of Greatness
Writing a complete Joylette Goble biography is challenging because she has chosen to keep much of her life private. However, we can piece together important aspects of her life story. Born to Katherine Johnson and James Francis Goble in the early 1940s, Joylette grew up during a time of significant social change in America. She experienced the segregation of the South, the civil rights movement, and eventually, the recognition of her mother’s incredible contributions to science. Her name, given to honor her grandmother Joylette Coleman, connects her to a long line of strong, determined women.
Joylette’s childhood was marked by both privilege and challenge. She had the privilege of having highly educated parents who valued learning, but she also faced the challenges of growing up as an African American child in a segregated society. When her father died in 1956, young Joylette had to adjust to life without him while watching her mother balance work and parenting. Katherine Johnson’s remarriage to James A. Johnson in 1959 brought a new father figure into the family. Throughout all these changes, Joylette demonstrated the resilience and strength that characterized her family. Her biography, though not as publicly known as her mother’s, represents an important part of American family history.
Her Legacy
Joylette Goble carries forward the incredible legacy of her mother, Katherine Johnson. While she may not have followed her mother into mathematical science, Joylette represents the human side of Katherine Johnson’s story – the daughter who watched her mother make history, the child who was raised with love despite the challenges of racial discrimination, and the woman who now helps preserve her mother’s memory. Katherine Johnson received numerous honors in her later years, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2015, and Joylette was there to witness these recognitions.
The legacy that Joylette carries is not just about scientific achievements; it’s about the importance of family, perseverance, and believing in yourself even when society tells you that you cannot succeed. Katherine Johnson taught her daughters that their race and gender should never limit their dreams. This message, embodied by Joylette and her sisters, continues to inspire people around the world. Joylette Goble may not be as famous as her mother, but her role in supporting and honoring Katherine Johnson’s legacy is invaluable. She represents the next generation that benefits from and continues the work of breaking barriers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is Joylette Goble still alive?
A: Yes, based on available information, Joylette Goble is believed to be still living. She has been present at various family events and memorial services honoring her mother.
Q: How old is Joylette Goble?
A: While her exact birth date is not publicly known, Joylette Goble is believed to be in her early eighties. She was born in the early 1940s to Katherine Johnson and James Francis Goble.
Q: What was Joylette Goble’s job or career?
A: Specific details about Joylette Goble’s career are not publicly documented. The family has maintained privacy regarding personal and professional details.
Q: Who was Joylette Goble named after?
A: Joylette Goble was named after her maternal grandmother, Joylette Coleman, who was a teacher and mother of Katherine Johnson.
Q: How many siblings does Joylette Goble have?
A: Joylette has two sisters: Constance Goble and Katherine Goble. Unfortunately, Katherine passed away in 2019.
Q: When did Joylette Goble’s father die?
A: James Francis Goble, Joylette’s father, passed away from brain cancer in December 1956.
Interesting Quick Facts
• Joylette Goble was named after her grandmother Joylette Coleman, continuing a beautiful family tradition of honoring elders.
• She is the eldest daughter of NASA mathematician Katherine Johnson, who helped send Americans into space.
• Joylette lost her father, James Francis Goble, to brain cancer when she was still young, experiencing significant family tragedy early in life.
• She witnessed her mother receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama in 2015.
• Joylette and her family became internationally known after the release of the movie “Hidden Figures” in 2016.
• Her mother, Katherine Johnson, lived to be 101 years old, passing away on February 24, 2020.
Conclusion
Joylette Goble represents an important connection to one of America’s greatest scientific heroes. As the eldest daughter of Katherine Johnson, she has witnessed history being made and has played a role in preserving her mother’s remarkable legacy. While Joylette has chosen to maintain her privacy, her story is intertwined with the broader narrative of African American achievement and the fight for equality. From her birth during the era of segregation to watching her mother become a national icon, Joylette Goble’s life journey reflects the incredible changes that have occurred in American society. She continues to inspire people by simply being the daughter of a woman who proved that intelligence, determination, and hard work can overcome any obstacle. The story of Joylette Goble reminds us that behind every great historical figure is a family that supported, loved, and believed in them
