Born on November 6, 1927 in Barstow, TX, to Cora and Henry Matthew Heath, Fern’s whole life was focused on unending love for her God and others.
Fern grew up in Andrews, TX, until having graduated early from high school at 16, she left for Howard Payne University. There she met her husband Jay Charles Dannelley, Sr., who was her pastor and whom she married in 1945 at 18. Together they served churches in Texas and Michigan while raising a family of four children. During this time, Fern taught elementary school and continually worked toward her Bachelor degree at different colleges where they lived, and which she finally received in 1959 from Howard Payne. Fern then earned her Master of Arts degree from Michigan State University in 1962, allowing her to work as a school social worker in Holt, Royal Oak and Bay City, MI.
After Jay, Sr. died in 1975, while continuing to work in the schools, Fern served Emmanuel Baptist Church in Midland, MI, the Bay Area Baptist Association, the Baptist State Convention of Michigan and the Southern Baptist Convention. The Michigan Convention appointed her to its State Board and elected her as its Vice President. Fern traveled to many countries participating in prayer walks to seek help for hurting communities. For eight years, Fern sat on the national Foreign Mission Board before being commissioned herself as a missionary to Botswana working with Bible Way Correspondence Course.
Fern returned to West Texas upon retirement and at age 70, married a Howard Payne friend, William Grimes Goree. Together, they worked untiringly in First Baptist Church, Midland, TX, serving on the Mission Committee, teaching a Sunday School class for adults with disabilities, and meeting the needs of the elderly. Three times the couple served six-month stints in Botswana and, in addition, traveled to many other countries.During this time, Fern was honored in Who’s Who in American Women.
In all phases of her life, Fern derived great joy from people of all walks of life across the world. Her house was always full of guests, either for pleasure or the other person’s needs. Throughout the years, she has provided love, support, and guidance to many. Her generosity impacted countless people in the States and around the world.
In 2021, Fern moved in with her daughter in Los Angeles, CA, providing joy and inspiration for her family and others who met her.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Baptist Church, Midland, TX, with memo In Memory of Fern Dannelley Goree. Contributions will be sent to Gaborone Baptist Church in Botswana.
