Barbara Ann (Meyers) Gooden (1864-1944)

GOODEN, MYERS, RUPP

Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 5/21/2011 at 11:35:35

From the Maxwell Tribune, Maxwell, Story County, Iowa, February 24, 1944 (courtesy of Sherry Healy).

Barbara Ann Gooden

Barbara Ann, daughter of the late Samuel and Barbara Meyers, was the seventh of a family of eleven children, born Dec 10, 1864, in Johnson County, Iowa, and she peacefully passed to her reward at her home near Maxwell, Feb 15,1 1944 at the age of 79 years, 2 months and 5 days.

Her parents moved to Polk County, Iowa in 1867, and settled on a farm south of Maxwell where Barbara grew to womanhood. In early life she became a Christian and united with the Church of the Brethren, and lived a consistent Christian life, working in the local church and giving much time and service to the community in a helpful way. She was an efficient teacher in the Sunday School, where she taught continuously in the children's department for many years including among others, her nieces, nephews and her own son and grandson. As a young woman, she followed the occupation of seamstress and other work in the homes of this community and in the city of Waterloo, Iowa.

She was united in marriage to Sanford K. Gooden, at Colfax, Iowa, January 18, 1894 at the home of her parents, officiating minister being the Rev. G. W. Gibson. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this year. They began housekeeping on a farm near Colfax, later moving to farms in the Peoria and Farrar neighborhood until 1912, then to their present farm home near Maxwell.

To this union was born one son, previous to this they had adopted a boy, Charlie, also taking into their home a young girl whom they reared and educated to womanhood.

Mrs. Gooden was active in the welfare of the church and community and exemplified those Christian graces of patience and kindness until about eight years ago, when her health failed her. She had been bedfast for more than a year. She was tenderly cared for by her daughter-in-law and son, Mr. and Mrs. Ray Gooden, who occupied the same home with the older couple. As a wife and mother, she served her home most efficiently in untiring efforts. During her illness she was a very patient sufferer.

She was preceded in death by her parents, four brothers and three sisters. Surviving are her husband and two sons, Charley and Ray and daughter-in-law Alice and two grandchildren, Carrol and Barbara. Also surviving are two brothers, Sam and Dan Meyers and one sister, Mrs. Hattie Rupp, besides many nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were held Friday afternoon at the Brethren church in charge of Rev. J. D. Brower, assisted by Rev. S. W. Mahannah.

Music was furnished by Mrs. Leota Scott, Mrs. Jennie Kirk, Jimmie Beal and Orlando Holty accompanist Dorothy Beal. Songs included: “Shall We Gather at the River.”, “Going Down the Valley, “ and “In the Sweet Bye and Bye. The beautiful floral offerings were arranged and cared for by Mrs. Helen Beal and Mrs. Iva French.

The pallbearers were: Keith, Kenneth and Arley Meyers, Fay Rupp, Robert Beal and Rollie Meyers.

Interment was in the family lot in the Brethern Cemetery.

Those attending from a distance were: Oscar Gooden, Shovel Lake, Minn.; Mr. and Mrs. Levi Faidley, Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Faidley, of Colfax; and Mrs. R., A. Kinzie, Mrs. Gale Kinzi; Mrs. Ira Klingaman, of Des Moines and Mr. and Mrs. Ed Riest, of Adel.