Mary Louise Goodwin-Buckley

“Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints salute you. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.” II Corinthians 13:11-14 On Monday, March 4, 2013, Mary Louise Goodwin Buckley mercifully left this world of time to live forever in eternity. Her strong spirit will be missed by many. Her passing reminds us that life is uncertain, but death is sure. Mary began her earthly journey on March 3, 1951, in Camden, Arkansas. She was raised by her grandparents, Rev. Elijah L. Goodwin and Mary Goodwin. Being raised as a “preacher’s kid” she was taught by example Christian values, integrity and ingenuity that resulted in a solid and caring family environment. Her grandparents were highly respected among friends and neighbors in Camden, Arkansas. She accepted Christ as her personal savior and united with Shiloh Baptist Church in Camden. Upon moving to Arkadelphia she attended Tate Temple COGIC with her aunt Lucinda Newborn, for several years; she later joined Mt. Olive Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. A.W. Terry. She was a charter member of Gennesaert Baptist Church where she served as deaconess, church clerk, president of the choir, new members class teacher and the congregational care ministry. She was a 1969 graduate of Lincoln High School in Camden where she excelled as a student and grew up to be an intelligent young lady. She furthered her education by attending Ouachita Baptist University and later attended a business school in Little Rock. Mary worked with the CADC Program in Arkadelphia. She also worked for thirty years at Baptist Health Medical Center in Arkadelphia and retired as office manager for Emergency Services. She was most remembered for her dependability and efficient skills. She married Freddie Buckley on May 25, 1996, and this union produced a blended family of eight step-children, twenty-four grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Although she had no children of her own, she and Freddie raised Alex as their own son. She was preceded in death by: her mother Robbie Jean “Bobbie” Williams who made her transition on October 29, 2012; one sister, Jimmie Faye Goodwin Newborn and one uncle, Herbert Goodwin. Because love is greater than death, her memory will live in the hearts of her husband, Freddie Buckley of Arkadelphia; eight step-children, Freda (Nick ) Perry of Arkadelphia, Nicole (Carl) Daniel of Arkadelphia, Leilani (Romaric) Awadjihe of Arkadelphia, James Newborn of Hot Springs, Erica (Duringus) Gray of Arkadelphia, Rosetta Buckley of Arkadelphia, Jeremy Buckley of Arkadelphia and Brittley Newborn Buckley of Arkadelphia; two aunts, Jimmie Hankins of Detroit, MI, and Jessie Sterling of Detroit, MI; two uncles, J. C. (Mary) Goodwin of Little Rock, and Charles (Sandra) Goodwin of Camden, who was raised with her as a brother. She also leaves two god-sons, Derrick Page and Traylon Page; three god-daughters, Jackie Mitchell, Tonya (Anthony) Jenkins, Tiffany Bradford; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, a special cousin, Floretta Babbs, as well as, special friends Barbara Ann Johnson, Loretta Reynolds, Myrtle Smith, Vanilla Hannah, Donna Richardson, Ethel Harris, Belinda Bailey and countless other friends. Public visitation will be held on Friday, March 8th from 12 noon until 6:00 p.m. at the funeral home. A service celebrating the life of Mrs. Buckley will be held at 12 noon on Saturday, March 9, 2013, at Gennesaret Baptist Church. Rev. Frederick Smith will officiate. The committal service and final resting place will be in Shady Grove Cemetery in Arkadelphia. Click Tributelink to view video.