“greatly beloved because she greatly loved”
Beth Evonne Floyd Goff was called to be home with our Lord Jesus Christ in Dallas,Texas on July 30, 2020. Beth left a legacy of great faith, joy, and enthusiastic loving service to her many friends and family of three children, five grandchildren and three greatgrandchildren.There was nothing she loved more than making others smile, laugh, and be encouraged. She carried a bubbly sweetness about her, often surprising total strangers with a load of pure joy, leaving them in a wake of unexpected happiness. Extremely talented in piano, organ, and voice, she ministered to others in church, in the symphony chorale, occasional leads in opera, and in teaching music. Beth’s light lyric soprano was amazing to her audience. On the other hand, she was just as delighted to accompany the senior adults’ ukulele band.
Born February 5, 1924, in Artesia, New Mexico, Beth was the youngest child of two
school teachers, Wayland Hoyt Floyd and Della Margaret Jordan Floyd. She grew up in
McLean, Texas where she became a follower of Jesus Christ and baptized at First
Baptist Church. She followed her siblings, RL and Ermadel to Texas Tech and majored
in music. Her parents moved to Lubbock in her first year at Texas Tech where they lived
two blocks from campus for more than 30 years.
Beth’s first job after college sent her to Perryton, Texas where she taught music in the
schools, played the organ at First Baptist Church, and led the church youth group. Al
and Lena Goff noticed this pretty lady playing the organ, befriended her, and asked her
to be pen pals with their son, Bob Goff, who was serving in WWII as a medic for
Marines in the South Pacific. After exchanging many letters, Bob returned home from
the war, finally met Beth, and soon married October 20, 1946.
After honeymooning in Colorado, the new couple moved to Chicago while Bob earned
his masters at University of Chicago. Beth typed his papers and thesis at night and
taught music in the schools in the daytime. Bob’s first job was teaching school in New
Mexico, but soon was offered a position as a trainer for Shell Oil in Midland, Texas in
1948. All three children were born in Midland; however, they were relocated to New York
from 1954-1957, and then just like good Texans, returned home to Midland.
Beth was very active at First Baptist Church Midland where she was well known and
loved in the music program. You would often find her on the organ bench; she could
play the organ with her left hand and both feet while simultaneously playing the carillon
that rang the church bells in the steeple. She enjoyed singing in the choir, and
frequently sang solos and in countless choral groups. Beth also performed in the
Midland Symphony Chorale, often performing leading parts.
In 1972 Shell Oil moved Bob and Beth to Houston where they became active members
of Tallowood Baptist Church, and again she thrived in the music program. In addition,
Beth had always wanted to paint, inspired by her Aunt Maude as a child; she was
known to say as soon as her youngest went to college, she would start painting… and
paint she did! She was apparently also quite gifted in art and very prolific in her 50’s,
60’s and 70’s starting with oils and acrylics, ending up most intrigued with watercolors.
Retirement came with a move to the San Antonio area in 1985. There you found them
active at First Baptist Church Boerne for 10 years, and enticing their married children
and grandchildren to come enjoy the Texas hill country. The next 10 years they enjoyed
living in San Antonio and attending Trinity Baptist Church where the senior adults group
became another family.
In 2006 they were among the first to move to Highland Springs retirement community in
north Dallas to be closer to family. Again, they developed deep friendships and service
at Highland Springs and The Heights Baptist Church finding yet another lease on life.
Her beloved husband, Bob, preceded her in death in 2014.
Beth’s 96 years of life were filled with optimism, joy, and love for others. Even in some of
her most challenging days of declining health, she could find someone to cheer up,
something to laugh about, and countless things for which to be grateful. As her words
began to fail her, she would simply start singing to you.
Beth is survived by son Robert E Goff Jr.; daughter Cathryn and her husband Camron
Nelson: granddaughter Bethany and her husband Bradley Kerstetter along with their
daughters Avery and Riley Kerstetter; grandson Scott and his wife Amy Nelson along
with their son Tate Nelson; son David Goff and his wife Marsha: grandson Kevin Goff,
granddaughter Kristi Goff, and granddaughter Jennifer Goff.
Due to the pandemic, the family has opted for a small burial service at Ochiltree County
Cemetery near Perryton, Texas on August 15 with Pastor Richard Laverty of First
Baptist Church Perryton leading us. If you wish to see photos of Beth or leave a
memory of her online, go to the website www.dignitymemorial.com and search for Beth
Goff.
Her favorite charities were The Heights Baptist Church, Richardson, Texas and
ServingHIM Healthcare International Ministries.
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