Mary Ellen Goodson, a cherished wife, mother, sister, and grandmother, passed away peacefully on April 15, 2025, in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Born on May 21, 1942, in Pennsylvania County, Virginia, she was 82 years old at the time of her passing.
As a devoted homemaker, Mary Ellen dedicated her life to nurturing her family and providing a warm, loving home. Her steadfast commitment to her family was evident in all she did, and her presence will be deeply missed by those who knew and loved her.
Mary Ellen was a faithful member of London Bridge Baptist Church in Virginia Beach, where she found community and spiritual fulfillment.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Delbert T. Oakes and Vera Haskins Oakes; and siblings, Douglas Oakes, Randel Oakes, and Linda Walker.
Left to cherish her memory are her beloved husband of 63 years, Franklin Roscoe Goodson; her daughters, Sandra Chadwick of Virginia Beach, Virginia, and Francis Gail Ross of Saucier, Mississippi; and her siblings, Ruby Barker of Semora, North Carolina, Barbara Solmons of Cascade, Virginia, Tony Oakes of Dry Fork, Virginia, Jerry Oakes of Pelham, North Carolina, Nancy Greenlaw of Virginia Beach, Catherine Stergion of Virginia Beach, and Betty Waldron of Danville, Virginia. She is also survived by numerous grandchildren; James Matthew Talliere, Ryan Coats, Andrea Saucier, Andrew McDowell, William Coats, Franklin Bradford, Matthew Coats, Alex Ross, Patrick Ross, Nancy Ross, who will remember her loving kindness and gentle spirit.
A graveside service to honor Mary Ellen’s life will be held on Friday, April 25th, at 12:30 PM at Princess Anne Memorial Park, located at 1110 N. Great Neck Road, Virginia Beach.
In this time of sorrow, we remember the legacy of love and devotion that Mary Ellen leaves behind and find comfort in the many cherished memories that will endure in the hearts of her family and friends.
