Roy James Gooden

On April 23, 1925, in Tupelo, Mississippi, Roy and Sarah Gooden welcomed their only child, a handsome baby boy named Roy James. Roy confessed his hope in Christ at an early age. He attended George Washington Carver High School in Tupelo, MS. In 1943, Roy enlisted in the United States Army with the 602nd Port Company in New Orleans, LA. Roy was shipped overseas and his campaign included the invasion of France, World War II, Korean Conflict and Vietnam. While recovering from a combat inflected injury at a military hospital in Washington, D.C. he met the beautiful Geraldine Hunter who was attending college at Howard University. In 1951, Roy united in Holy Matrimony to the love of his life, Ms. Geraldine H. Hunter. To this union a daughter was born. Roy and Geraldine enjoyed 52 wonderful years of marital bliss until her demise on October 13, 2003. In 1967, Roy retired from the U. S. Army. After retirement he and his family remained in Oakland, CA. Later he worked for the Cycletron Corporation which manufactured cancer detection machines. He retired after twelve years. In 1982, he and Geraldine moved to Arkadelphia and built their home that she designed. They joined Greater Pleasant Hill Baptist Church under the pastorate of Dr. W. T. Keaton. Roy served on the finance committee and was honored as Greater Pleasant Hill’s member of the month in February 2006. In the 83rd season of his life, on January 12, 2008, at Ft. Root Medical Center in North Little Rock, AR, Roy surrendered his soul to Christ and was welcomed home by God and was also greeted by his parents, and wife. He leaves to cherish his precious memories: His daughter, Velda Y. Gooden of Eureka, CA, several nieces, nephews, cousins, numerous friends, and the Greater Pleasant Hill Baptist Church family. You may visit Mr. Gooden at Williams Funeral Home on Friday, January 18, 2008, from 11:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. The family will greet friends and share the Images of Life DVD from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. The Gooden and Hunter families have planned to celebrate his life on Saturday, January 19, 2008, at 11:00 a.m. in the sanctuary of Greater Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Arkadelphia, Arkansas where Dr. Lewis A. Shepherd, Jr., is pastor and will deliver the message of comfort and encouragement. The committal service and final resting place will be in the Springhill Cemetery with full military honors. A reception honoring the life of Mr. Roy Gooden will be held in the fellowship hall of Greater Pleasant Hill Baptist Church. Active bearers of the casket will be members of the United States Army. Honorary Bearers of the caskety will be Daniel L. Hunter, Jr., Anthony D. HUnter, Christopher A. Hunter, Levi Garland, Chris Gatson, Jackie Cotledge, Robert Miller, Rex Septer, Jackson F. Hunter, Jr., Miller Banks, Charles Newborn, Herbert (Pete) Sands, Reggie Dickerson, John Tatum and Curtis Reynolds. The American flag flies at Williams Funeral Home in honor and in memory of Mr. Roy James Gooden.