Mary Goode Ross, 87, daughter of Clayton and Gladys Watson Goode, was born Aug. 1, 1920, at Sand Springs, Okla. She died Oct. 10, 2007, at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield.
She graduated from Houston High School in 1939 and married the love of her life, Kenneth Ross, June 4, 1939. They shared more than 68 years which included winters in Arizona, golfing and traveling to nearly all of the states.
Mrs. Ross attended Springfield Teachers College (Missouri State University), where she received her bachelor’s degree in education. She received her master’s in elementary education from Drury University.
She taught 31 years, which included 10 years in rural schools and 21 years at Houston and Licking.
In 2003, she was inducted into the educator’s hall of fame by the Houston Alumni Association.
Mrs. Ross received Christ as savior in her teens. She was a member of Ridgecrest Baptist Church in Springfield for the last seven years. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Houston for 60 years, where she was a Sunday School teacher.
She loved reading mysteries, working challenging word puzzles and needlework. She enjoyed shopping, playing games and making new friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; one sister, Hazel; and one brother, Bill.
Surviving are her husband of Springfield; two daughters, Kennie and Karlyn of Springfield; four sisters, Velma, Bonnie, Judy and Linda; one brother, Bob; four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Services were Oct.13 at Greenlawn Funeral Home South in Springfield with the Rev. Hosea Bilyeu officiating. A memorial service was also Saturday at the First Baptist Church in Houston with Dr. Howell Burkhead officiating. Burial was in the Pine Lawn Cemetery under the direction of Evans Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
