Mary 'Helen' Boyd Goddard, 97, of Anna, passed away at 7:50 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2005, in Union County Hospital in Anna.
She was born Dec. 30, 1907, on the family farm west of Jonesboro.
She was the last surviving child of John Jasper 'J.J.' Sr. and Mary Naomi (Gillespie) Boyd. On Sept. 23, 1927,
She married her high school sweetheart, Byrl Alton Goddard.
He passed away March 31, 1988.
Helen graduated from Anna-Jonesboro Community High School with the Class of 1926.
Helen's devotion to A-J and her classmates was carefully documented and preserved in her 'graduation journal.
It contains mementos such as play programs, ticket stubs from sporting events, party favors, early photos of Bar-San Hall, pictures of a young Ella Jane Pickle Sanders, along with a stick of gum from the 1920s, given to her by a 'friend,' Byrl Goddard.
For a number of years, while living in Jonesboro, Helen was employed at the International Shoe Company, Anna.
In the mid-1950s Helen and Byrl moved to Carbondale and became 'host parents' to numerous young men who made their home with them while attending Southern Illinois University.
Upon retirement, they returned to Anna.
While living in Carbondale, Helen was active in the Carbondale Garden Club and First Baptist Church. When she and Byrl moved back to Anna, Helen became a faithful member of Anna Heights Baptist Church until ill health prevented her from attending.
Helen was also active in the Union County Homemakers' Extension.
For the past five years, she resided at Union County Nursing Home in Anna.
Helen's passion for beauty and color was apparent from the many wonderful handmade quilts she so lovingly stitched as gifts for her family.
Other hobbies and interests she enjoyed were reading, needle point, spending time in her flower gardens, cooking, canning fruits and vegetables and as long as her health permitted, she especially liked to visit with family and friends.
Helen was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and the following brothers and sisters, Arlie Van Boyd (died in infancy), Edith Boyd Davis Gordon, Claud J. Boyd, Orin D. Boyd, Emma Boyd Schultz and John J. Boyd Jr. and a nephew, John J. Schultz.
'Aunt' Helen is survived by the following nieces and nephews, Robert E. (Gene) Boyd of Anna, Anita Boyd Ord of Camp Hill, Pa., Joe E. Boyd of Cobden, Boyd L. Davis of Sun City West, Ariz., Jane Schultz Amos of Fairfax, Va., Harold D. Boyd of Mount Vernon, Martha Boyd Casper of Las Vegas, Bill R. Boyd of Cobden, Emily Boyd Meyer of Cobden; special niece and caregiver, Linda Boyd LaFoon of Anna and dear friend, Lazelle Snell of Anna.
Services for Mrs. Helen B. Goddard will be at 11 a.m. Friday, August 5, 2005, in Lutz and Rendleman Funeral Home in Anna, with the Rev. Al Campbell of United Methodist Church in Anna officiating. Interment will be in Anna City Cemetery.
Friends may call after 10 at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 5, 2005.In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in memory of Helen B. Goddard may be to the Nursing Home Landscape Project, c/o Union County Hospital Auxiliary, 517 N. Main St. Anna, IL 62906 or to a charity of the donor's choice.
Lutz and Rendleman Funeral Home in Anna is in charge of the arrangements.