Betty Frances Love Goodson

Betty Frances Love Goodson, 80, of McGehee, AR passed away Monday, March 30, 2020. Betty was born in Ethel, MS on November 12, 1939 to the late Robert Edward Love and Lillian Estelle Breazeale Love. To define Betty with one word, it would have to be ‘love’. Upon meeting her, you would instantly be warmed with a big beautiful smile that made you feel like you’d just had a blanket wrapped around you. No matter who you were, before you could reach out your hand to shake it, she’d have you embraced in her arms. Her life was devoted to her family and traveling with, spending time with, and making beautiful memories with them. She literally never met a stranger and if you named off some relatives, she would definitely know one, if not several. She treated everyone she met as she did her own family. You immediately felt like you had a new parent or grandparent after being with her for five minutes. She was never too busy to listen to anyone and there was no doubt in your mind that you had a friend for life once you’d met her. She was the epitome of a Southern Belle. She loved to cook and always made enough for a few extra people to have a plate if they happened to be joining for dinner. No one would ever leave her house hungry and she made you feel like you were in your own home when you visited her. After a few minutes of talking with her you’d know two things about her, she was extremely proud of her family and she was a woman of faith. She had the gift of hospitality and service and loved serving others and in her church. Those of us that were lucky enough to know her have a little more joy, sunshine and love in us because of her. The impact she made on the lives of those she touched will be a warm piece of their heart forever and forever bring a smile to their face. She will be greatly missed and honored everyday by her family. She worked as school secretary for McGehee Public Schools for over 32 years. Betty volunteered with the Home Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention and she was a member of the Nail Benders Group which volunteers to build churches. She was a dedicated member at First Baptist Church of McGehee, where she served on many committees. Other than her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Larry Goodson; grandson, Seth Hopson; brother, John Love. Survivors include her daughter, Laura (Wayne) Leek of McGehee, AR; sons, David Goodson of McGehee, AR and Jon (Jennifer) Goodson of Milan, TN; brother, Robert (Jan) Love of North Carolina; sister, Linda (Tim) Philhower of Texas; grandchildren, Eme Hopson of Little Rock, AR, Olivia Leek of Starkville, MS, Andrew (Mallory) Goodson of Jonesboro, AR, Drake (Bethany) Goodson of Little Rock, AR, Chase Goodson of Jonesboro, AR, Jake Goodson of Milan, TN and Julianna Goodson of Milan, TN A private Graveside Service was held with a Celebration of Life Service at a later date. Memorials may be made to Gideon’s International, P.O. Box 140800, Nashville, TN 37214-0800 or First Baptist Church of McGehee Youth Department, P.O. Box 133, McGehee, AR 71654.