Janette G Goode

Janette was born in Worth County, Georgia, to the late Flem Howard Gray Sr. and Berta Iola Tompkins Gray on July 25, 1931. She grew up on her parents' farm, as one of nine children, but always knew that she wanted to go to college and become a teacher. She had the perseverance, while living at home as a teenager with limited financial assistance, to attend Norman College in Norman Park, Georgia, earn her associate's degree, and work as a teacher in the local school system.

After marrying Harold Goode on July 15, 1950, they lived at various times in Worth County, Georgia; Jacksonville, Florida; Norfolk, Virginia; and Atlanta, Georgia. Janette, her husband, and two children moved back to Jacksonville in 1960. She returned to college at Jacksonville University, where she earned her BA degree. Upon graduation, she was hired by Duval County Public Schools and taught second grade at Spring Park Elementary School for almost 35 years. She greatly enjoyed the daily interactions with her students and heard from many of them years after they finished school. Janette spent much of her time outside of the classroom working with her husband at Harold’s Meat Market in Garden City. She was also a lifelong Baptist and recent member of Faith Baptist Church. After her retirement, she began to travel with her sister, Ruth. They had many adventures across the United States, North America, Europe, and Australia.

She was proud, tough, independent, and hardworking - often putting the needs of her family ahead of her own. She was caring and loving to her family and pets. In fact, she was known to treat her pets just as well, or, she would joke, better than her family.

Janette was predeceased by her husband, Harold Gene Goode. She is survived by her two sons: Don H. (Patrice) Goode and Richard E. Goode; five grandchildren: Jeb Goode, Jonas (Eva) Goode, Jared (Leticia) Goode, Gabriela (Neil) Enguerra, and Brighton (Matthew) Forester; five great-grandchildren: Lucy Goode, Slade Goode, Starla Goode, Roy Enguerra, and Camila Enguerra; siblings: Ruth Hardy, Bettie Lastinger, Merle Lindsey, and Faye Hamner; and a host of nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held in the Buckman room at Hardage-Giddens Riverside Funeral Home at 7242 Normandy Boulevard, Jacksonville, Florida 32205 on December 6, 2025, starting at 12:00 p.m. A Celebration of Life will follow at the same venue at 1:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that charitable donations be made to the Central and North Florida Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association.