Martha Goodson, Longtime Friend of Duke Divinity School, Died Oct. 22

October 24, 2006

Mrs. Martha Ogburn Goodson, a longtime friend of Duke Divinity School, died on Oct. 22. She was 91 years old.

She was the widow of Bishop W. Kenneth Goodson -- a divinity school alumnus, United Methodist Bishop, former bishop-in-residence, and a trustee of Duke University and The Duke Endowment -- for whom The Divinity School’s new chapel is named.

“Over the course of nine decades of life, Martha exhibited a gracious and wonderful spirit, profound Christian commitment, and a love for the church,” said Dean L. Gregory Jones. “We were delighted that she was able to participate in our celebrations related to the naming of Goodson Chapel: the groundbreaking, the first service in Goodson in spring 2005, and the dedication service last October.”

Mrs. Goodson was a 1932 graduate of Greensboro High School and a 1936 graduate of Woman's College of the University of North Carolina (the University of North Carolina, Greensboro) with an A.B. in Biology. She served with distinction as a trustee at Oak Ridge Military Academy and Brevard College.

She is survived by her son, Ken Jr. (and his wife Doris); her two daughters, Ann Faust and Nancy Richey (and her husband Dilmus); seven grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

Visitation is Oct. 24 from 7-9 p.m. at Salem Funerals and Cremations, formerly a branch of the Vogler Funeral Home, 120 South Main Street, Winston-Salem, N.C.

The funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. on Oct. 25, in the sanctuary of Centenary UMC, Bishop Robert Morgan, Dr. Michael Brown, and the Reverend Jack Yarbrough, presiding. The family will receive friends in the Centenary parlor following the service. Interment will be at Forest Lawn Cemetery, Greensboro, at 3 p.m.

Memorials may be made to: The W. Kenneth and Martha O. Goodson Endowment Fund, The Divinity School, Duke University, Alumni and Development Records, Duke University, Box 90581, Durham, NC 27708-0581; the Martha O. Goodson Scholarship Fund, UNC-Greensboro, University Advancement, PO Box 26170, Greensboro, NC 27402-6170; or the Financial Assistance Fund, Arbor Acres United Methodist Community, 1240 Arbor Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27104-1197.