Mary Lou Goodman

Mary Lou (Sappington) Goodman, 98, went to be with her Heavenly Father on July 3, 2020.  She was born in Havana, Florida, on July 20, 1921.  She was the youngest of seven children, all of whom have preceded her in death. She attended Havana Grade Schools and Florida State College for Women, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Education.  She taught school in Madison, Florida for two years and then worked as a secretary at FSU.  She married Kelly Loren Goodman on April 13, 1946, and they lived in Quincy, Florida for twenty-two years where they raised their two children, Greg and Nancy.  Mary Lou taught sixth grade at Quincy Elementary School for 16 years.  After the children finished college, Kelly and Mary Lou moved to Panama City where she taught second grade at Springfield Elementary School.  Kelly, her husband owned and operated the Badcock Furniture store in Port St. Joe.  He died of cancer in 1980.  After retirement, Mary Lou moved to Fort Walton Beach to be near her family.  She was an active and faithful member of the First United Methodist Church for over 30 years.

Mary Lou is survived by her children, Gregory Goodman and wife Tina, Nancy Fitzgerald and husband Bruce; five grandchildren,  Aimee Hanson (Chris) of Beavercreek, Ohio, Devon Fitzgerald of Rock Hill, SC, Kimberly Tryon (Ira) of Fort Walton Beach, FL, Matthew Fitzgerald (Joanna) of Birmingham, AL, and Ryan Goodman (Ana) of Fort Walton Beach, FL; Great Grandchildren,  Hayden, Parker, and Sawyer Hanson, Landon, Sophia, and Tanner Tryon, Grace, Eli, and Whitney Fitzgerald, and Camila and Elena Goodman; Nieces and nephews, Cookie Hart of Panama City, FL, Carol Ceglar of Manassas, VA, Susan Sappington of New Smyrna Beach, FL, Dan Sappington of Creve Coeur, MO, and Mike Sappington of San Diego, CA.

A private Family Service will be held at First United Methodist Church in Fort Walton Beach, FL on Thursday, July 9, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. officiated by Rev. Dave Barkalow. Friends of Mary Lou are invited to attend the internment that immediately follows at Beal Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, the family would like memorials to go to First United Methodist Church of Fort Walton Beach, FL.