Sarah "GG" Karylyn (Hudson) Goodman

Karylyn “GG” Goodman, age 85, passed peacefully to her rest on Friday, May 19, 2023, in Altamonte Springs, FL. She was born on May 12, 1938 in Black Rock, Arkansas, to Noble Barton and Ruby May (Stout) Hudson.

Karylyn grew up in Lebanon, MO and graduated from high school at Sunnydale Adventist Academy in 1956. She attended Union College and then graduated from Madison College in 1961 with a Bachelor’s degree in Education. On June 10, 1962, Karylyn married the love of her life, Lew Thomas Goodman, and they shared 27 years of happiness together.

Karylyn taught at Napa Junior Academy while Tom finished undergraduate school at Pacific Union College in Angwin, CA. Then she taught at Redlands Junior Academy while he was in dental school at Loma Linda University. In 1969 they moved to Rusk, TX where Tom established his dental practice until his untimely death in 1989.

During those East Texas years, Karylyn helped Tom run the dental office, raised two boys, and was active in the Rusk Seventh-Day Adventist Church. She also stayed busy providing hospitality to many people, volunteering as a “Pink Lady” at the Rusk Memorial Hospital and caring for Tom’s and her parents as they aged.

GG had a love for reading, and was often found with the Reader’s Digest, local newspaper or Adventist magazines. She grew beautiful flowers, loved walks in nature with her family and enjoyed spending time with their many friends.

Once widowed, Karylyn remained in Rusk for a few years, earned her Social Work Certificate and worked at nursing homes. Then she returned to teaching for the State of Texas Prison System and relocated to Bonham, TX for a few years and then San Antonio, TX.

Upon retirement in 2007, she moved to Santa Maria, CA and shared 13 happy years with her younger son, Randall and his family. Karylyn was an active member of the Santa Maria SDA Church and hosted Bible study and table games with her friends regularly. She loved driving her grandchildren home from school at Valley View Adventist Academy and often volunteered in the classrooms. Facing health challenges, Karylyn moved to Mt. Dora, FL in 2020 to live with her oldest son, Todd and his family who lovingly cared for her in her final years.

Karylyn is survived by her two sons and daughters-in-law, Todd & Melinda Goodman of Mt. Dora, FL and Randall & Karen Goodman of Arroyo Grande, CA; four grandchildren Karissa, Kayla, Reagan and Will; and her sister Beckie Gower and husband Gene of Lebanon, MO. She also leaves behind many extended family members, in-laws, nieces & nephews, and numerous lifelong friends.

In addition to her husband and parents, Karylyn was preceded in death by her two brothers, Randall Hite Hudson & Noble Keith Hudson, and her sister Mary Jo Watson.

Everyone could see how much she loved her family, friends and the Lord. Many of her loved ones lived in different places so she was often on the phone calling to visit and encourage them. She was a faithful servant of God, and she knew her future was beautiful in His eternal home. Until we see Karylyn again, we will take comfort knowing she is resting beside her beloved husband Tom awaiting Jesus’ soon coming.

A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. Sunday, June 4, 2023 at Eden Cemetery in Douglass, Texas. A reception will be held following the service at Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Home, Nacogdoches, TX. Those who wish to remember Karylyn may send notes / flowers to Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, those who wish to recognize Karylyn in a special way may send a tax-deductible donation to Valley View Adventist Academy (www.vvaaonline.org/give ) with the notation “In memory of Karylyn Goodman”. There will also be an open-house memorial at Todd & Melinda’s home in Mt. Dora, FL, June 9, 2023 from 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Services are under the direction of Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Directors.