Jessie Mae Goodwin

Jessie Mae Goodwin June 22, 1925 - July 20, 2015 Jessie Mae Arant Goodwin, age 90, of St. Augustine, passed away after a long struggle with Alzheimer's on July 20, 2015. In her last years Jessie resided in Brookdale Senior Living in St. Augustine. She was born in Valdosta, Georgia, and moved to Palatka at a very young age. After the early death of her father when she was 9, she relocated with her family to St. Augustine at age 13. She graduated from Ketterlinus High School with the Class of 1943, and shortly thereafter married her high school sweetheart, Robert Thomas "Bobby" Goodwin. For more than 30 years, Jessie worked as a Customer Service Clerk for Florida Power & Light Company. She enjoyed her work at F.P.L. and wore many hats. When first employed, she was the only woman working at the Distribution Center with all male line installation crews. She was then hired to work in the business office customer service department. Jessie was a wonderful wife and homemaker, and a woman of strong faith. She was also a very beloved mother and grandmother. She began her married life with Robert as a member of McDowell Baptist Church, was a longtime member of Ancient City Baptist Church and a founding member of Anastasia Baptist Church. She was as active in church mission work as possible while working and in her retirement. She was preceded in death by her husband, the love of her life, Robert Thomas "Bobby"Goodwin in January 1976. She happily stood beside him in all their endeavors, supporting him in earning college funds, and going to many, many football games and track meets. In her early childhood, her parents, Thomas Jackson (Tommy) Arant, Sr. and her mother, Edna Motes Arant Middlelton (both also deceased) were devoted members of Peniel Baptist Church in Palatka. Her brother, Thomas Jackson Arant, Jr., also preceded her in death. She is survived by her daughter, Barbara Jeanne Goodwin Gilbertson, and her husband, David Wayne Gilbertson, Ph.D of Tallahassee; Anna Margaret Arant Mercer, also of St. Augustine is a devoted, loving, older sister who looked after Jessie until Jessie's death. Her grandchildren, Celese M. Jones and Kimberly A. Humann, MD, and great-grandchildren, Patrick, Joshua and Savannah were royally spoiled by their great-grandmother. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews,and cousins. She was a devoted and present friend to many. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 26, 2015 at McDowell Baptist Church, with Dr. Clarence Blalock officiating. A committal service and interment will take place at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, July 27, 2015 at Craig Memorial Park. A visitation will be held from 5 to 7 pm on Saturday, July 25 at St. Johns Family Funeral Home. St. Johns Family Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.