Dorothy was born on June 18, 1929, in Atascosa County near Bigfoot, Texas to Essie Mildred Parchman and Willie Lee Nixon. Dorothy and her younger sister Ann grew up in a rural setting and enjoyed a wonderful life that involved being around farm animals, growing their own food, raising cattle, and watching their dad train horses for racing. Their lives were filled with love, and they were surrounded by an extended family that brought much joy and happiness. Ann tells how Dorothy, being 13 years older, was like a mother to her. Not only in childhood but also later in life when Ann was a mother herself.
Dorothy met Billy Gene Goodman while in school at Somerset. They began dating in High School in June 1945. In February 1946, when Dorothy was a senior in high school, Bill joined the United States Navy and served on the USS Prairie, a Dixie-class Destroyer Tender. Dorothy promised to wait for him to return.
Bill was honorably discharged in January 1947 and returned home to Somerset and to Dorothy. One year later they were married on February 14, 1948. They decided to remain in Somerset and settled into married life. Bill went to work for the Civil Service at Kelly Air Force Base serving in logistics. Dorothy set up and managed the affairs of their home. Their love for each other was steadfast and undeniable. They were true partners who worked together to build a life as well as to be a blessing to those around them, gladly offering help and assistance whenever needed.
Their first child, son William Dale, was born on January 9, 1951. In August 1953 they purchased a two-acre tract of land in Somerset and soon began constructing their new house. They built the house themselves working on weekends, evenings, and holidays. Bill was quite the craftsman, and they built the house out of blocks that they actually molded themselves. Progress was slow but eventually the house was completed. Their second child, daughter Susan Lanette, was born on September 30, 1957, and their family was complete.
They enjoyed 41 years of marriage until Bill passed away in February 1989 at the relatively young age of 61. Bill was the love of Dorothy’s life, and for her remaining 35 years she never remarried.
At 59, it was the first time Dorothy would live alone. It was a difficult time in her life, but with the support of her children, family, and friends, she learned everything necessary to be independent and was soon thriving. Three years later in October 1992 Dorothy sold the house she and Bill had built and bought a house in San Antonio to be nearer her daughter and sister. She enjoyed her new home for 20 years until June 2013 when she moved to Austin to be near her daughter and son and their families. In 2017 at the age of 88 she moved to Leander to live with her daughter and son-in-law and remained there until the time of her passing.
Dorothy lived her life full of gratitude towards God and her family. She loved and supported her son and daughter in all their endeavors, welcomed and cherished their spouses, and doted on her three grandchildren and six great grandchildren. The family has many great memories of spending time together and will sincerely miss Dorothy’s presence.
Dorothy was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. She enjoyed talking and visiting with others. She liked to learn about them and their lives and did not shy away from asking many questions to get to know them better. She loved to laugh, enjoyed listening to county music, and the world would stop when her favorite television program “The Voice” would come on.
At the end of her life Dorothy never complained about her circumstances or her decline in health. One of her favorite times was sitting out on the back patio talking with her daughter, Susan, revisiting life events and bragging about her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Dorothy is going home to be reunited with her beloved husband Bill, son Dale, brother Preston Lee, brother Willie Lamar, mother Mildred, father Willie, as well as many other friends and family who have gone before her. She leaves behind to remember her: daughter Susan Goodman Wilson and husband Ray of Leander, TX; daughter-in-law Dottie Swenson Goodman of Magnolia, TX; sister Ann Nixon Barth and husband Mark of San Antonio, TX; grandson Brandon Wilson and wife Crystal and children Isaac and Genevieve of Leander, TX; granddaughter Amber Goodman Young and husband Preston and children Charlotte, Holt, Sheridan, and Virginia of Houston, TX; and grandson William Charles “Charlie” Goodman and wife Shelbi of Austin, TX.
Dorothy’s life will be celebrated at a graveside service in Somerset TX on Friday, April 05, 2024 at 1:00 PM. Dorothy will be interred next to her husband, Bill, at Old Rock Church Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions for upkeep of the Cemetery may be made to Old Rock Baptist Church, P.O. Box 326, Somerset, TX 78069.
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