Camilla Mildred Goode, 92, of Lafayette, Indiana, went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Thursday, January 2, 2025.
She was born on Thanksgiving Day in 1932 in a log cabin in Terrell County, Georgia to Taylor and Bessie Speir. God providentially spared her life even as an infant and later when her parents’ church was struck by a tornado. Finding success as a high school state champion in basketball and pursuing her teaching degree paled in comparison to seeing her life turn around when she met Jesus at the age of 17.
After marrying Bill Goode, she diligently served her family as a homemaker. God provided for her needs as she generously invested all she had in the lives of people at the churches Bill pastored: Tabernacle Baptist Church in Altus, OK; Calvary Baptist Church in Hiawassee, GA; Grace Baptist Church in Gary, IN; and Faith Baptist Church in Lafayette, IN. Despite her busy schedule, she still found time over the years to teach Home Economics in Georgia, South Carolina, and Indiana, as well as teaching science to her grandchildren, arranging flowers, and tending to roses and garden plants each year.
Her ministry continued for another twenty-eight years after God took Bill home. During that time, and even through increasing physical suffering, she regularly shared passages of Scripture and prayed faithfully for those around her. She had a particular burden to see young people grow up to serve God. Her godly testimony has left a profound impact on the lives of her family and many friends.
Even a few months before her passing, as she listened to her grandkids and family sing around her, she joyously joined in singing a favorite hymn of her faith in Jesus:
Near the cross! I’ll watch and wait, Hoping, trusting ever; Till I reach the golden strand, Just beyond the river.
Mildred is survived by her daughter, Camilla, and son-in-law Ray Lee, as well as three grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Mildred was preceded in death by her husband of forty-five years, Bill Goode, her parents, Taylor and Bessie Speir; and her sisters, Anita Vesey and Emily Speir.
Funeral services will be held at Faith Church, 5526 SR 26 E, Lafayette, IN, on Wednesday, January 8th, 2025. Visitation will be held from 10AM to 12PM. The funeral service will begin at 12PM, with Pastors Trey Garner, Daniel Lee, and Andrew Lee officiating. Burial will be at Rest Haven Memorial Park following the service. Day & Genda Funeral Home ~ Bodine Chapel is assisting with the arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Risen Hope Church, a new church plant in West Allis, Wisconsin, where Mildred’s grandson, Andrew, is the Church Planting Pastor. Donations can be made at https://www.risenhopechurch.life/give or by mailing checks to Risen Hope Church, PO Box 14084, West Allis, WI 53214.