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© Enid News and Eagle Enid, Oklahoma June 27, 2017 April 15, 1925 ~ June 24, 2017 A Celebration of Life for James Edwin Goodness, 92, Enid, is 10 am Wednesday, June 28, 2017, at Central Christian Church, with the Rev Dr Jarrett Banks and the Rev Don Johnson officiating. Burial follows in Memorial Park Cemetery, with military honors provided by the United States Army. Jim passed away Saturday, June 24, 2017, in Enid. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home. Jim was born April 15, 1925, to Cyrus and Mary Goodness in Tyndall, SD. The family moved to Pratt, Kansas, where Jim attended elementary, jr high, and high school from which he graduated in 1943. He served in the Army from 1943-1945. His service included guard duty at a German prisoner of war camp. Jim attended Phillips University from 1945-1950, majoring in vocal and instrumental music. He served as president of the Phillips Chorus. He sang in a daily broadcast of a Phillips quartet on KCRC, and also served as president of the University chorus and his senior class. He was a member of the Gridiron Club and represented Phillips in vocal music on promotional trips for the University. Jim received his master's degree in instrumental music in the summer of 1960. Jim started his teaching career in Chetopa, Kansas, in the fall of 1950. It was at Phillips that Jim met and married Betty Covey Goodness on June 17, 1951. When he and Betty married, Jim accepted the job of vocal and instrumental music teacher at Waukomis for six years, in order for Betty to complete her Master's Degree in Elementary Education at Phillips. In 1957, Jim began teaching instrumental music [band] at Enid's Longfellow Jr High, as well as bands at all of Enid's east side grade schools. He served as minister of music for 27 years at Enid's Central United Methodist Church, which is now Willow View United Methodist Church. During this time, he was also giving private lessons at a local music store. Jim taught 5th grade during his last eleven years of teaching, at McKinley Elementary School. He retired from McKinley in 1985. Jim was a member of numerous professional organizations, including the NEA; OEA; EEA; NBA; Phi Mu Alpha, and the Cherokee Strip Reading Council, as well as the Enid Literacy Council. Jim's interests were rich and varied. He enjoyed wood carving and crafts, reading, bicycling, camping and most of all, traveling in the United States with his wife, Betty. Jim is preceded in death by his wife Betty; son David Brent Goodness; and brother Charles Goodness. He is survived by a son, Robert Kent Goodness of Enid; special friend, Angela Herring, of Enid, whom Jim lovingly referred to as his "girlfriend"; several step-grandchildren and step great grandchildren; sister, Betty Mohney, of Pratt, Kansas; as well as many loving nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. The family wishes to thank the excellent caregivers at The Commons, for the wonderful job they did in caring for Jim. Memorials in Jim's name may be made to Central Christian Church, with Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home serving as custodians of the funds. Condolences may be made and services viewed online at www.LadusauEvans.com |
© Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home Enid, Oklahoma October 2007 March 14, 1931 ~ October 22, 2007 Betty Covey Goodness was born March 14, 1931, to Rev Carl and Ica Covey in Elk City, OK where her father was the pastor of First Christian Church. Her childhood was spent in Elk City, Duncan, Shawnee, Enid and Oklahoma City, OK where she attended Harding Jr High and Classen, where she graduated in 1949. Betty earned her bachelor of education degree in 1953 from Phillips University and her master of education degree in 1963. It was while she attended Phillips that she met and married Jim Goodness on June 17, 1951. She taught in Enid for 29 years, retiring in May 1992. Betty earned her bachelor of education degree in 1953 from Phillips University and her master of education degree in 1963. It was while she attended Phillips that she met and married Jim Goodness on June 17, 1951. She taught in Enid for 29 years, retiring in May 1992. She was a member of many professional organizations, as well as participating actively in her church wherever she was needed. She taught Sunday school classes, sang in the church choir, as well as singing solos, playing the piano and organ, directing women's and children's choruses and directing children's bell choirs during the 27 years that she and Jim served as ministers of music at Central United Methodist Church, which is now Willow View United Methodist. She also taught 30 piano and voice students before beginning to teach full time for the Enid school system. She belonged to, and was officer of, many professional organizations. She was a member of NEA, OEA, EEA, Delta Kappa Gamma, KKI, and the Cherokee Strip Reading Council. She became a member of the Enid Literacy Council and after retiring from active teaching in Enid public schools, she spent 40 or more hours each week teaching adults to read in the literacy room at the Enid Public Library. In 1983, Betty received the first "My Favorite Teacher" Award presented to honor an Oklahoma teacher by Channel 9 News in Oklahoma City. That same year she was chosen as the "Teacher of the Year" by her fellow teachers at Monroe Elementary School. She received an award presented by the governor for the State Historical Society for the song "Oklahoma" which was especially written for children so they might learn at an early age the names of our state flower, bird, tree, etc. She loved and cared very much for every student in her classes. She was the happiest when working around and with her students. Betty is survived by her husband, Jim Goodness, of the home, her two sons, David Brent Goodness and his wife Chris of Lake Charles, LA, and Robert Kent Goodness of Enid, OK, as well many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. She was preceded in death by her sister Mary Jane McIlvain and Pat McIlvain, her brother-in-law, and also Charles Goodness, her brother-in-law. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 25, 2007, at Central Christian Church with the Revs. John McLemore and Don Johnson officiating. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home.Betty wants us to remember most about her that "she cared about us all. |
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