Mary Helen Goodnight

Mary Helen Jackson Goodnight, of Bartlett, Texas, passed away peacefully on February 23, 2015 in San Antonio, Texas where she had resided for the previous year. She was predeceased by her husband, Edward R. Goodnight of Bartlett and her daughter Dr. Sheila Goodnight of Houston. She is survived by her daughters Linda Goodnight Wright and husband Tommy of San Antonio, Texas, and Marsha Goodnight Soper and husband Mark of Houston; five grandchildren: Dr. Rebekah Wright Koch and husband Dr. Joey Koch of Lufkin, Dr. Rachel Wright of Dallas, Marcus Soper of Houston, Marshall Soper of Houston and Jackson White of Houston; and two great-grandchildren: Lydia Lavo Koch and Henry Wright Koch of Lufkin.

Mary Helen was born March 2, 1925 in Fulton County, Illinois to Richard Keith Jackson and Estelle Cluts Jackson. She attended schools in Canton, Illinois and then traveled to Grinnell College in Iowa. She transferred to the University of Texas Honors Music program in Austin obtaining her Bachelor of Arts degree in Music. While in Austin she played organ for University Methodist Church on the UT Campus and worked for the famous Texas author J. Frank Dobie, taking dictation and typing his manuscripts and letters. She married Eddie Goodnight on December 2, 1949, and together they owned Goodnight Funeral Home in Bartlett, Texas for over 30 years. Mary Helen taught music in the public schools in Bartlett, Holland, Salado and Academy for many years, often teaching the children and even the grandchildren of her former students. She served as the organist and Director of Music at St. John Lutheran Church in Bartlett. Always a learner, Mary Helen enrolled at Baylor University and by taking courses in the summers received her Masters of Art degree in 1975 in American Studies (literature, history and government). After retirement, Mary Helen continued to enjoy playing bridge with her friends, reading profusely, and taking cruises and tours to many fascinating places all over the world. She was a grateful and enthusiastic lover of life who always saw the bright side of everything. Her favorite role in life was being an encouraging, supportive and proud mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, known affectionately as “MaMaToo”.

A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, February 27, 2015, at 10:00 a.m., at St. John Lutheran Church, Bartlett, with interment at the Holland Cemetery. A reception will follow in the Teinert Recreation Center Fellowship Hall. Goodnight Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Mary Helen’s memory may be made to St. John Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 70, Bartlett, Texas 76511.