Mary "Cookie" Canty Goings
Founder & Board of Directors President
Cookie Goings retired from her long-time career as an educator in the Horry County School District and became the founder of Nana’s Hope House. Through her experiences running a non-profit dedicated to vulnerable students for over 20 years, she prayerfully cultivated the idea to convert her family home into Nana’s Hope House where high school students in need can live and thrive. Cookie earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Guidance at Newberry College in 1982 where she was on the Dean’s List. She also earned a Master’s Degree
April Johnson
Nana's Hope House
Board Treasurer
April L. Johnson is originally from Winston-Salem, NC and moved to the Georgetown, SC community known as Plantersville when she was 3 years old. April was raised by her grandparents and two sets of aunts and uncles that influenced and shaped her into the woman she is today.
April is the Administrative Assistant for the City of Myrtle Beach-Neighborhood Services Department. By following the pledge to be “First in Service,” she works to enrich our community and facilitate growth and understanding in our neighborhoods. The emphasis of her role is to manage the office and provide technical support related to Housing Rehabilitation which includes affordable housing, community services, community development programs and organizing special events/projects for the City of Myrtle Beach and its neighborhoods.
April has more than 27 years as a “Public” Servant and strongly believes she is called to help people learn and grow, feel purposeful, motivated, energized, and contribute at their highest level. In 2018, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., Upsilon Beta Beta Chapter presented her the Citizen of the Year Award.
William "Bill" Jones
Nana's Hope House
Board Secretary
William “Bill” Jones is the CEO of Cherry Elm a catering and management business. In his 33 years in the industry he has left his mark on every aspect of the business. His experience ranges from Director of Catering & Convention Services, Director of Catering/Offsite Catering Operations Manager to Concessions Manager for Centerplate, a food and beverage corporation serving entertainment venues in North America and the UK. He has held support roles at the Charlotte Coliseum-Charlotte Hornets; Charlotte Convention Center; Miami Beach Convention Center; Block Buster Amphitheater; Carowinds Pavilion; Celebration Station; Raleigh Walnut Creek Amphitheater; William Brice Stadium; Clemson Memorial Stadium; Charlotte Knights Baseball Stadium; BiLo Center and Columbia Metropolitan Convention and others.
Mr. Jones exhibits a passion for his work and also participates in prominent roles in many volunteer opportunities in his community such as 5 Pts. Business Association, Vice Chair for Business & Entertainment, Board Member for the Pioneer Bowl VII and Golf Coast Classic Committee Member for Alabama State University in April 2008.
His certifications include Hospitality HotSpotters, Serve Safe and Honors with Stars Serves. His knowledge and training has led many others to follow in his shoes. Mr. Jones believes in giving back and passing on as a tribute to his successes. He is a role model and expert in customer care, communication, problem solving, relationship building and growing his successors through training and leadership.
Veronica Spencer Gray
Nana's Hope House
Board Member
Alfreda Funnye
Nana's Hope House
Board Member
Alfreda Funnye is currently employed with United Way of Horry County as their AmeriCorps Program Manager. As a native of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, she is a proud Myrtle Beach High School Seahawk and a graduate of Horry Georgetown Technical College. She is currently pursuing her degree as a social worker at Liberty University in the hopes of continuing to serve families and children who needs extra love and care.
In 2016 she created Rock the Stop, a community project that helped promote peace and positivity at the school bus stops for students in Myrtle Beach and Horry County. Her life mission statement is to serve others with all that God has given her, and bring smiles to all those with whom she comes in contact.
When she is not serving the community, which is never, she likes to practice her passion for photography through her growing business, Freda Funnye Photography. She also loves sharing a humorous story, enjoying the Carolina coast and finding a new places to travel. Alfreda is gifted in connecting with people, thinking of innovative ways to serve the community, graphic design, bringing a positive attitude to any situation, and influencing others to get behind a meaningful cause.