Mildred A. Goode

A child of God, Mildred Goode knew that the heart of a good life was love and family - things that are true and lasting. In late evening of Monday, November 15th, God, our Father, told her well done and it was time to come home. An Angel took her by the hand, and she left the earthly realm in peace while bathed in love and surrounded by her family.

"The chapel is full of people who have come to say goodbye. But no one wants to see you go, you know the reason why. In our pain and tears we share a heartache that is real but, in our minds, we will keep memories no one can steal. Like your poetry, time with you was a gift from God that will live with us forever. We all can feel your hand in ours and see your loving face. You have not gone, we feel you here, a love we can't replace."

Mildred was born in Emporia, VA to Pearl and Willie James Brown. At an early age, she joined Mount Olive Baptist Church in South Richmond. Mildred was educated in Emporia and Richmond, VA Public Schools. She attended Virginia Union University, graduating in 1962 with a bachelor's degree in Sociology with dreams of becoming a social worker. Along the way, she met and married the love of her life, Carl M. Goode, Sr. (Dickie). They had four beautiful children (Pearl, Carl, Alfred, and Sachiko) and lived a life full of adventure, love and elegance. They traveled the world while Carl Sr. served as a military officer. One of her life passions blossomed during her time in Japan where she embraced a love for flowers. She took the opportunity to be trained and certified by a Master Japanese florist. All of her homes were full of her wonderful floral creations.

In the late 1960s, the Goode family moved back to Virginia, settling into Petersburg. Mildred took a job with the Dinwiddie County School system as a fourth-grade teacher and returned to Virginia Union University completing a master's degree program in Elementary Education. She taught at Midway Elementary and then Rohoic Elementary until her retirement. To this day, she is remembered not only for her teaching, but also for the care of her needy students - if a child was hungry, they could stop by her room before school for breakfast; she also always kept an extra set of clothes and toiletries so that a child could be well-groomed if they were sent to school unkempt. In the community, Mildred was an active member of the Dinwiddie Education Association and the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Club (NANBPWC). With the Petersburg Chapter of the NANBPWC, she specifically focused on the development and advancement of youth. Alongside her chapter members, they started a youth chapter called OPAL designed to give youth ages 12 to 18 an opportunity to develop skills in leadership, communication, problem solving and life. Mildred particularly enjoyed teaching children to recite poetry and developing their skills to succeed in oratorical contests. Each year former students would return to her to recite their poems and sharpen their skills. She was an integral part of the success of so many youth.

To know Mildred, was to love her. She will always be remembered for her kindness, compassion, and storytelling skills. Mildred was an inspiration to all those she met. People recognized this truth about her, "whenever/wherever someone needed her, she was there to help".

Mildred, you meant so much to each of us and in our hearts you will always be. I hope you can see how precious you were to them, to us, to me.

Mildred was preceded in death by her late husband, Lt. Col. Ret. Carl M. Goode, Sr.; grandmothers, Alice Jeffries and Mary Brown; mother, Pearl Brown; father, Willie James Brown; two children, Pearl Delores Goode (PG), and Alfred Goode, Sr.; grandson, Alfred Goode, Jr.; great grandson, Angel; sisters, Constance Brown and Vanessa Cager; as well as her baby brother.

She leaves to cherish her memory: loving son, Carl M. Goode, Jr. (Magdalene); devoted daughter, Sachiko Goode; daughter in law, Beverly Goode; Sister of her heart, Rachel Hamilton (Legert); Son In Spirit, David Artis; grandson, Antwaune Goode (Jackee); granddaughters, Dr. Nikita Garris-Watson (James), Sachiko Wooten (Markus), Tiffeny Jones (Jason), Brandi Lambert (Quintrail), Cierra Gravely (Wesley), Michelle Balli, Melodie Graves (Frank), Mildred Goode, Carlene Goode, Floannie Goode; great grandsons, Steven Terry Jr., Brandon Lambert, Quinlen Lambert, Nicolas Balli, Haven Lambert, Roman Balli, Tyler Jones, Camden Jones; great granddaughters, Jasmine Davis-Goode, Sasha Terry, Synay Lambert, Makenna Wooten, Nevah Lambert, Hero Balli, Avi Gravely, Malynn Wooten, Ashtyn Gravely; nieces, Dorothy Goode-Hatcher, Jewel Giles, Jocelyn Johnson (Sheldon), Jeraelyn Scarbrough, Relonda Wright (Demetrius), Lisa Hill (Willie), Denise Jones (Lester); nephews, Ollie Flippen Sr., Jerry Goode (Joyce), Kenneth Goode; devoted family and friends, Hal Miles, Roxanna Harrison (Leon), Patricia Russell, Nicolas Balli; and a host of other nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends.

Family will receive friends on Monday, November 22, 2021 from 4-7 PM at Mimms Funeral Home, 1827 Hull St. Funeral service Tuesday, November 23, 2021 at 11:00am.

repast will be held at 2:30pm at Hobson Lodge, 800 Prince Hall Dr, Richmond Va 23224.