Mary Virginia (Fountain) Goodman, died January 5, 2009. Services will be 11 a.m., EST Thursday, Jan. 8, 2009 at Tallahassee Heights United Methodist Church, with burial at Roselawn Cemetery. Visitation will be 6 until 8 p.m. today at Beggs Funeral Home, Apalachee Chapel (850-942-2929). Mary V. "Virginia" (Fountain) Goodman was born in Mauk, Georgia, on February 20, 1929, and moved with her family to Monticello in 1934. She grew up working in her famlly's restaurant; this early training that led to her reputation as a phenomenal Southern cook. As a high school student, she was the first female selected to represent her community in the 4-H National Leadership Conference, earning scholarships that helped finance her college education. As a small child, her father told her that "she could be anything she wanted to be" and this instilled a sense of confidence in Mary V. that touched every facet of her life and that she passed on to her children, grandchild, and others she mentored and befriended throughout her life. She married Lester C. Goodman on September 19, 1954. She graduated Jefferson County High School in 1947 and moved to Tallahassee and earned her Bachelor's Degree in Biological Science, in 1951, as a member of the first co-ed graduating class from the Florida State University. She began her working career as a school teacher in Coolidge, Georgia, and her students had a nearly 100% graduation rate during a time in rural Georgia when dropping out of high school was very common. She counted this statistic as one of her most significant life achievements. She was later a science and math teacher at Elizabeth Cobb Middle School, in Tallahassee, before joining the ranks of state employees in 1953. She served in Governor Leroy Collins office, and in 1958, she transferred to the Department of General Services. She rose through the ranks of this Department, and in 1971, she was appointed Chief of the Bureau of Property Management, becoming the first female bureau chief in Florida state government history. In 1993, she was honored with a Proclamation by Governor Lawton Chiles and his Cabinet, recognizing her 40 years of dedicated service, commitment to leadership, and career accomplishment In 1995, she retired from state government after 42 years of public service. Mary V. Goodman was a pioneer in moving women forward in the workplace and in 1971, was named National Woman of the Year by the American Business Woman's Association. In 2007, she was also honored during National Women's History Month by Tallahassee Community College. Throughout her life, Mary V. Goodman served as an active volunteer in her church and her community. In 1996, she was appointed to the Executive Board of Directors at Goodwill Industries of the Big Bend, Inc., and held various offices including Chairperson. Because of her exemplary work and dedication to the Goodwill mission, she was made a life member of the board in 2006, and continued to actively serve until a few months ago. She has held various leadership positions in her local United Methodist Church, her United Methodist Women group, was a District Lay Speaker and teacher and has served as a delegate to the Florida Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. Since 2006, she has also served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Florida State University Wesley Foundation. Mary V. Goodman always had time to help others. She touched and positively impacted the lives of many people throughout her life. She selflessly gave her time and talents to make her community and the world a better place. Mary V. Goodman passed away at Big Bend Hospice House on January 5, after a 61/2 year battle with cancer. She is survived by her children, Marian Goodman and life partner Margena Hinely of Palm Harbor; Mary Elizabeth "Libby" Grimes of Crawfordville and Christopher C. Goodman and his wife Danielle (Fox) Goodman of Tallahassee; granddaughter, Brandi L. Goodman of Tallahassee; and by her faithful canine companion, "Molly"; her sister, Mrs. Jacquie Dykes of Tallahassee; her brother, Tommy Fountain and his wife Betty Rose of Monticello. She was predeceased by her husband of 37 years, Lester C. Goodman, in 1991. She was also predeceased by her parents, Jack and Jewell Fountain.

Published in Tallahassee Democrat on January 7, 2009.