Betty Lu Goodson's Obituary
Betty Lu Goodson, age 90, saw Jesus Christ face-to-face on Friday, November 14, 2025. She was born in Grosse Ile, MI on April 20, 1935.
Betty received a bachelor’s degree in Christian Education, with a minor in English, from Bob Jones University. As a young girl, Betty felt that she would be a missionary, but she knew she would be unable to meet the physical expectations required by any mission board. Upon graduation from BJU, Betty went to work at the Greenville, SC, Children’s Home. Her salary was $3 per week. After marriage, she and her husband worked with the Niagara Falls Rescue Mission.
It 1972, Betty and her family moved to Gainesville, FL.
Betty enjoyed gardening, reading, studying the Bible, and praying specifically for everyone she knew. Her high school yearbook joked that her personality was defined as “dynamite comes in small packages,” but dynamite falls woefully short in describing her impact on those around her. She liked to celebrate life’s moments by decorating for every season and occasion. She was also known for encouraging those around her by giving soft drinks to the people who delivered her mail, tended her yard, picked up her trash, as well as many others. However, she is best remembered for connecting with her friends and family by texting “Snoopy-Grams” at 3:00 am and sending cards for every occasion. Lots and lots of cards!
Betty was preceded in death by her husband of 24 years, James Howard Goodson, and their infant son, Thomas Kirk Goodson. She is survived by sons Tog (Kathy) Goodson and Tim (Janice) Goodson, as well as her grandchildren; Jaclyn (Thad), Ryan (Donielle), Kaitlin, Alyssa (David), and Connor (Erica); and great-grandchildren; Thaddeus, Raylen, Kendrick, McKinley, and Baby W.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, November 22, 2025, at 11:00 AM at Williams-Thomas Westarea Chapel, 823 NW 143rd St. Gainesville, FL. Visitation will be held an hour prior at 10:00 AM.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to:
Friends of Children
PO Box 358502
Gainesville, FL 32635-8502
One of Betty’s favorite Bible verses was Psalm 34:1. “I will bless the Lord at all times. His praise shall continually be on my lips.” Though she endured many significant hardships throughout her life, she always looked forward and trusted in the plans of her Lord.
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