Betty Lois Goddard

Betty Lois Goddard, 87, of Fort Smith passed from this life August 18, 2018 in Fort Smith. She was born September 18, 1930 in Poteau, Oklahoma to the late Charles and Eula Howard Sterling. Betty graduated from Fort Smith High School before attending the University of Arkansas, and later graduating from Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma.

After college she taught, and later retired, from Ballman Elementary as a 6th grade teacher after 27 years. During her teaching career, she was affiliated with the Education Association, the Association of Childhood Education International and the Arkansas Retired Teachers Association to name a few. After retirement, Betty became involved with volunteering at Methodist Nursing Home, and in 1996 was awarded the Fort Smith Volunteer of the Year Award by then Mayor Ray Baker. Betty was gracious and kind, always looking out for the needs of others, even putting theirs before her own. She was an extremely active member of Grand Avenue Baptist Church and an avid Razorback football and basketball fan.

She is survived by her husband of 67 years, James Carl Goddard; her son, Stan Goddard and his wife Diana; a son-in-law, John Langham; grandchildren, John Langham and his wife Sarah, Josh Langham, Melissa Huynh, Matthew Goddard and his wife Carrie and Jeff Langham; great grandchildren, Lillian and Rebekah Langham, Evan Langham and Christian and Braxton Huynh. Betty also leaves behind close friends, Debbie Atkinson, Nancy Cox, Nancy Goodin, Carol Lee and Clara Treat.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her daughter, Terri Langham; as well as a grandson, Mark Goddard; and a granddaughter, Caroline Langham.

Funeral services will be 11:30am Tuesday August 21, 2018 at Grand Avenue Baptist Church, with burial to follow at the U.S. National Cemetery in Fort Smith. The family will greet friends from 5:00 to 7:00pm Monday, August 20, 2018 in Edwards Funeral Home Chapel. Services are entrusted to Edwards Funeral Home.

Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Adult 9 Grand Avenue Baptist Sunday School Department, Ralph Lewis and Bob Gillson.