Lillie Mae Goddard

Lillie Mae Goddard, 93, died December 11, 2010, peacefully at home in Norman, Oklahoma. Lillie Mae was born March 30, 1917, to Martin L. Graves and Rosa Victoria (Gray) Graves. She attended school in Norman through a year of college at Oklahoma University, where she met and married Fred S. Goddard in January, 1939. After years of moving in the oil industry, Fred & Lillie Mae returned to Norman in 1970 to family land in East Norman. While living in Kansas, the Goddards discovered choose/cut Christmas Trees and decided on this as a "retirement business" for their Norman homestead. They established the Goddard Christmas Tree Farm in 1969; and started selling trees in the mid 1970's, bringing a whole new industry to Oklahoma. This family business continues to operate. Lillie Mae served on the Norman City Council, Ward 5 from April 1979 to April 1987 being most proud of obtaining fire station #5 for East Norman at 72nd and Alameda. Hobbies included oil painting, china painting, ceramics, and even tackled a watercolor workshop at age 91 in Taos, NM. Lillie Mae played bridge most of her adult life.

She was a member of First Christian Church of Norman. Lillie Mae enjoyed 19 years in a balcony apartment at Rivermont Retirement Community where she made many friends, felt secure and safe, and was able to live independently with services of the caring staff of Loving Care In-Home Health. The family is grateful to Dr. John Krodel, his nurse Liz, and Heartland Hospice for the compassionate, competent care provided.

Lillie Mae is survived by a daughter, Gwen Thum and husband Bob of Fairway, KS; daughter Shirley Snider and husband Merrill of Norman; grandchildren Cindy Brown, Sheila Daniels, Lara Thum., David Thum, Keith Goddard, Lisa Huffines, and 14 great grandchildren; nephew Frank Graves. She was preceded in death by her son and daughter-in-law, Les G. Goddard and Ellen Ewing Goddard; husband of 52 years, parents, brother Ernest Graves, and nephew Ken Graves.

A celebration of her life will be held on Thursday, December 16th at 3:00 p.m. at First Christian Church of Norman, David Spain officiating, followed by interment at IOOF Cemetery. Visitation at Primrose Funeral Service on Wednesday, December 15th with family present to greet friends from 6:30-8:00 p.m. Messages can be left at primrosefuneralservice.com.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First Christian Church, 220 South Webster, Norman, OK 73069.