Mary Louise Goodman Carroll

Mary Louise Carroll’s story should really start with a longtime resident of heaven, Judson B. Palmer, who taught her father Biblical instruction as a young boy at the YMCA in Galveston. Mary Louise’s father, Wilbur Goodman would often speak reverently of this ‘fine man’ who instructed him in the ways of righteousness. Those principles absorbed into Wilbur’s character and being would carry Wilbur through his life and would also bring blessings to his progeny. (Blessing by association with a mature believer.)

Born into a life of grace March 21, 1917, Mary Louise was the first child among four married sisters becoming almost a “princess” in the family hierarchy. She took advantage of the music and dancing lessons she was given as a child and wanted the same for her two children Joan and Mary Ann who would be born almost 11 years apart.

Music was her “thing” and she continued piano into old age. Rachmaninov Piano concerto in C minor was her favorite.

Growing up in the Golden Age of the Island, she would reminisce about the Balinese Room, the Hollywood, and the Bathing Girls Review. She herself was a Mardi Gras princess, debutante, and a member of what would become the Junior League. (The elaborate Mardi Gras dress and train were both all hand beaded by her mother.)

Just as her parents had taken the family on a trip to New York City when she was 16 she did the same for her daughters in the 60’s using the paperback book, New York City on $5 a Day as her bible. It was a road trip from Nashville, visiting Thomas Jefferson’s home on the way up and The Vanderbilt’s Biltmore Mansion on the way back. Lindy’s, the Rockettes, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and certain Eastside delis were all on the itinerary.

Capacity for Life: Frank Sinatra, Ingrid Bergman, Fred Astaire, and Ginger Rogers – these were her idols. So when she was standing outside the stage door of a Broadway Theatre in NYC and Ginger Rogers walked by and patted the peeking head of a hidden poodle in Mary Louise’s purse (that was being snuck into the hotel) – that was a star-struck moment. In later years when a cousin and a niece became fairly successful as an actor, actress, dancer and singer, she was a proud and devoted fan. She adored her brother, a VMI cadet and WWII veteran. He and his large family came to visit often as did her cousin and husband.

Grace Houses, God’s Timing: Growing up, Mary Louise lived on Avenue Q until the family built a stately home at 4502 N ½ that would become known as the Goodman Home. Throughout his life her father, who ran the Model Laundry, went to the bank every day to have coffee with the banker. One day when the house was under construction, the banker said, “Well Web, I guess you have come to get the money for the final payment on your house.” Wilbur replied, “Yes, I have.” That withdrawal would mean the closing of the bank, for the next business day was the stock market crash of 1929 that preceded the Great Depression. Nonetheless the house provided the perfect venue for the civic and charity events for which her mother was known.

In 1997 here in Houston, she felt God had picked out her perfect place, quite by accident. Another grace event.

Blessings Abound: The place also gave an opening to dog ownership. And God bestowed not one but two darlings! Tuffy, who went to heaven way too early, was probably one of the first to welcome her.

Tucson: Mary Louise grew up in Galveston but lived in Florida, Virginia, Nashville, and Houston as an adult but it was the one year in Tucson, Arizona, in 1959 that she liked to talk about. The family lived on a guest ranch outside of the city. It was the beautiful rugged mountains, the cacti, the tarantulas and the Gila monsters that fascinated her. It was a different world.

Zest for Life: After retirement in 1987, she took 37 sequential continuing education courses. And she relished attending Bible classes at Berachah Church where she received accurate, organized Biblical instruction in how to live this life and prepare for the next.

The family remembers one incident she liked to talk about. The pastor was teaching David and Goliath. At work they were about to rearrange office spaces and there were only two window offices. They would pull names. She believed that God was in control and sure enough her name was picked for a front, window office!

Toward the end of her life, for nearly 5 years she was cared for by the Healthcare Team at Holly Hall Christian Retirement Center. She called everyone “Honey” and when anyone did anything for her, she would tell them they were “Wonderful.” Feeding a horse a carrot early in her stay there was a high point. She loved jigsaw puzzles and had dog photos and puzzles framed all over her walls. Gazing at one perky puppy picture carried her off to sleep each night.

Throughout her life one of her favorite verses was John 14:2 (KJV):

“In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”

…And so we know that she is face to face with the Lord. No more tears, no more sorrow, the old things have passed away.