Mary Juanita Goodner

Even with increasing memory loss at the age of 93 mother’s humor was honest and hilarious.

Juanita was born December 21, 1922 in Spiro, Oklahoma. Juanita grew up in Whitesboro, Oklahoma during the depression. She faced World War II raising a four year old daughter (Phyllis Eudene) while her husband, Dewey W. Goodner, was fighting in the Battle of The Bulge. During this period, Mother became a prayer warrior. Upon my father’s discharge from the Army my parents moved to Wichita, Kansas. While in Wichita mother became a beautician and had her shop in the basement of our home. They both became involved in their Church (Immanuel Baptist). Mother taught a Bible study for teenage girls and later for adult women for over 30 years. In 2010 Mother and I attended the 100th anniversary of Immanuel Baptist Church. At the banquet I heard this question numerous times “I heard Juanita Goodner is here can you tell me where I can find her?”

Two weeks before she passed we were talking about the family. I reminded her that she and dad’s lives had exemplified biblical truths and we and our families were followers of Christ and were doing well in life.

She paused for a moment and said

I HAVE HAD A GOOD LIFE.

Mary Juanita Goodner 12-21-22 through 8-31-2016

Juanita is survived by her daughter, Eudene her spouse Kenneth and their children David (Pam), Steve (Kelli), Linda (Lee) and Theresa (Charles), son Wayne’s his spouse Karen and children Jayson (Gretchen), Carly (Sulliman) and Erin (Wesley). In addition she had 10 great grandchildren, 8 great-great grandchildren.