Avon Goodson

Avon Goodson was born October 15, 1926, to Dee (Samuel D.) and Mary (nee Apel) Goodson on a farm near Reynolds, NE. She died October 5, 2017, just 10 days short of her 91 birthday, in Newport, TN. Avon's mother died shortly after her birth so she was raised by her father and her eldest sister, Hazel. Avon attended a one-room schoolhouse then worked for room and board and attended Fairbury, Nebraska, High School graduating in the Class of 1944. Avon, who said she was done with pecking hens and shucking corn, moved to Chicago where Sister Gladys lived. She became very active in Buena Memorial Presbyterian Church while working 26 years at Intermatic Electric Systems before retiring. Avon enjoyed working with youth, believing they brought life and future to the church family. She taught Sunday School Classes, coached and played basketball and softball in Church and Youth Leagues in Chicago's Buena Park neighborhood. She loyally followed the professional Chicago baseball and basketball teams and became a fan of the University of Tennessee sports teams especially the Lady Volunteers basketball team. On a church trip to Tennessee, Avon saw her piece of heaven on earth. After retirement she purchased her home on Sweetwater Road and went to work creating her "home place" with paint, hammer & nails, mowers, tractors, hoes and seeds. She became active at Fellowship Presbyterian Church, enjoyed friendships with other members and was especially proud of having been part of the congregation that created their new building of worship. She was preceded in death by her parents, Dee (Samuel) Goodson and Mary Louisa (nee Apel) Goodson; and eleven siblings: Erwin, Ruth, who died as a child, Elmer, Joy, Hazel, Douglas, Gladys, Samuel, Elizabeth, Elvin, and Howard. Avon was a favorite aunt of nieces and nephews, their children and their children's children as she played softball and games with them at biennial family reunions. She is survived by nieces and nephews: Darlene Strobl of Temple, TX, Betty Nance of Colorado Springs, CO, Ruth Wollenberg, Esther Bezan, and Lloyd Goodson all of Lincoln, NE, Joann Steinberg, of Normal IL, Keith Goodson of Fremont, CA, Kurt Goodson of Corvallis, OR, and Lowell Goodson of Narka, KS, many grand- and great grandnieces and nephews and her close friends, Rebecca & Norman Young and other friends in Newport, TN. From around the U.S., they miss her. Funeral services will be held Tuesday Oct. 17, 2017 at 11 am in Fellowship Presbyterian Church with Rev. William F. Hill, Jr., officiating. Friends will be received at the church from 9:00-11:00 am prior to the service on Tuesday Oct. 17, 2017. Burial will be in Shady Grove Cemetery on Tuesday Oct. 17, 2017 at 1 pm. Memorial donations may be made to Fellowship Presbyterian Church, 2331 Early Road, Newport, TN 37821, or Boys Town, www.boystown.org. Family and friends may sign the guest registry online at www.manesfuneralhome.com. Arrangements by Manes Funeral Home, Newport, TN.

Avon Goodson

October 15, 1926 - October 5, 2017