Mary Kathleen Goodwin

Mary Kathleen Goodwin, 88, passed away early Thursday, November 16, 2023 at her daughter’s home in Emporia.

She was born January 13, 1935 in Arvonia, Kansas the daughter of Ellis John Graham, Sr. and Essie Smith Graham. Mary attended Reading High School and graduated with the Class of 1953.

Mary was joined in marriage to William S. Goodwin, Jr., on August 13, 1955 in Manhattan, Kansas. Bill was still active duty in the Army which caused the young couple to relocate from time to time. Over the next few years they lived in Georgia, Germany and Alaska. They settled down in Lebo in 1972 after Bill’s retirement. The two would later divorce.

Mary was a homemaker during the early years of her family life. In the mid 1980’s she took a job at Dolly Madison where she spent the majority of her time working on Line 3. She has delivered newspapers with her son, William Ellis Goodwin in the Emporia and Americus area for the past 7 years. Mary was a member of the White Rose Eastern Star Chapter #297 of Gridley.

Mary will live on in the hearts and memories of her daughter, Elizabeth Lea Brannan of Emporia; a son, William Ellis Goodwin and his wife Kristina Ann of Emporia; eleven grandchildren; twenty four great-grandchildren; numerous extended family and a host of dear friends. She was preceded in death by her son John Dale Goodwin; a daughter, Mary Stark; a granddaughter, Maria Lanae Goodwin; and a grandson, John William Brannan.

Services will be held at 5:00 P.M, Sunday, November 19, 2023 at the Jones VanArsdale Funeral Home in Lebo. Graveside services will be held at 11:00 A.M., Monday, November 20, 2023 at Arvonia Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society and sent in care of the J\ones VanArsdale Funeral Home at P.O. Box #43, Lebo, Kansas 66856 Condolences may be expressed at vanarsdalefs.com.