Shirley Amelia Colgan Goodwyne

She grew up in Carteret, New Jersey, and at a young age, learned the true meaning of service and sacrifice. Shirley lost her oldest brother, William Winfred Goodwyne, who was killed by sniper fire as he was saving lives in the Battle of Pelliliu during WWII, a Navy Silver Cross recipient. This heart-breaking event greatly impacted the trajectory of her life of service.

She was always a positive force for her community serving over 50 years in the highest leadership levels of the Order of the Eastern Star, and was even a Charter Member of the Riverside No. 218 chapter. She also was a long-time member and contributor to the Daughters of the Nile, Shriner's Childrens Hospitals,Navy Wives and supporter of many military and veteran's organizations, She enjoyed attending church and singing in the choir with her sisters and brothers at the Peace Presbyterian Church.

A passionate patriot and proud American, she got involved in the political arena to help get out the vote. She volunteered at the polls, attended many rallies, and was a fearless proponent of conservative, Christian values. We can't count how many times we would get a phone call from Mom telling us that she was going to be on TV because she got interviewed at the Trump rally, or the Newt Gingrich event, or whatever chance she was given to voice her unadulterated opinion. One time she was in the Veterans Parade on the Tea Party float dressed as the Statue of Liberty holding the torch. She started her TV career after the age of 80!

Miss Shirley, as she was known by the school children she drove to school every day, owned and operated a Special Needs School Bus in Duval County for 26 years. She enjoyed the cards and letters the grown up "children" sent her with updates on their lives throughout the years.

There is no way to share with everyone all of the kind acts and good things that Shirley did during her long, service-filled life. If you were fortunate enough to be a family member or friend of Shirley's, you would know her kindness and generosity. A champion for those less fortunate and in need, she was a real life hero in her own right!

She was married to previously deceased Navy Veteran, James Frank Goodwyne. A decorated WWII hero, he was a member of the UDT Team 14 which was instrumental in the Battle of Iwo Jima. Her son, William Eugene Goodwyne, is now retired after a successful career in the video and film industry in Atlanta. He is now living in St. Augustine with his wife, Paula. She is also survived by sister, Wilma Allen, and sister and brother-in-law, Edith and Bobby Pettinheo,

We want to say thank you to the very special caregivers who took such good care of Mom for us. Thank you to Nora and Marie who helped us take care of her while she was still in her home, we so appreciate the loving care you provided.

And to Annie and the wonderful team of caregivers at Riverside Cottages in St. Augustine, thank you for being there for Mom and for being there for us throughout the last couple of years of this journey, you are amazing!

I hope she knows how long a shadow she cast upon our world! We will always miss her loving presence,

A visitation for Shirley will be held on Thursday, October 20, 2022 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Hardage-Giddens Chapel Hills Funeral Home, 850 St Johns Bluff Road North, Jacksonville, FL 32225. A celebration of life will occur Thursday, October 20, 2022 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM, 850 St Johns Bluff Road North, Jacksonville, FL 32225. A procession will then take us along Anniston Road, past her home, before escorting us to Evergreen Cemetery, 4535 North Main Street, Jacksonville, FL 32206 for a committal service.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Shirley's memory may be made to Tunnels to Towers, https://t2t.org/; Shriner's Hospitals for Children, https://lovetotherescue.org/; and Peace Presbyterian Church, https://www.ppc-jax.org/.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hardage-giddenschapelhills.com for the Goodwyne family.