Betty Goza

Betty L. Goza, 94, of Jackson passed away Saturday, May 22, 2021, at Landmark Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

She was born Nov. 3, 1926, in Cape Girardeau County to Homer B. and Emily "Lois" Houk Hartle. Betty was a 1944 graduate of Jackson High School. She and Robert "Bob" Goza Jr. were married June 7, 1944, in Corning, Arkansas. Just a few days later, Bob left to serve in the U.S. Army.

While Betty was in high school, she worked for the Jackson School District. She then worked briefly at the Social Security Office in Cape Girardeau and returned to the Jackson Schools, serving from 1954 to 1981 as secretary to the superintendent and from 1954 to 1986 as the school board secretary, at which time she retired.

Betty was baptized and confirmed at the United Methodist Church in Millersville. After she and Bob were married, she became a member of New McKendree United Methodist Church in Jackson. Her other memberships included the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary in Cape Girardeau, the American Legion Auxiliary in Jackson, and the Order of Eastern Star in Jackson, where Betty and Bob served the same year as Worthy Matron and Worthy Patron.

Betty and Bob always planted a garden -- spring, summer and fall -- that was nearly as big as a football field. They always canned their produce and often gave it away as Christmas gifts. Betty and Bob could often be found dancing and square-dancing at the American Legion, Starlight or Seven Cedars. Other interests they shared were fishing, camping and turkey hunting.

Loving survivors include three daughters, Barbara (Martin) Chemers of Capitola, California; Becky (Joe) Looney of Klickitat, Washington; and Brenda (Mark) Potratz of Festus, Missouri; four grandchildren, Matt, Emily, Michael and Holden; five great-grandchildren, Chase, Tysen, Hiro, Niko and Zain; a sister-in-law, Mattie (Bob) Clippard of Jackson; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 72 years, Bob Goza; her parents; a sister, Kathlyn (Archie) Hahs; and two sisters-in-law, Anna Jean Woods and Ella Dee Jones.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

The Rev. Janet Hopkins will officiate the funeral service at noon Saturday at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Russell Heights Cemetery in Jackson. The wearing of face masks is encouraged and appreciated.

If giving a memorial contribution, please consider St. Jude Children's Research Hospital; Harter's Hospice Rescue, P.O. Box 1543, Fenton, MO 63026 (hhpr.rescuegroups.org), or the Jackson R-2 School Foundation.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.mccombsfuneralhome.com, navigating to Betty's obituary page, and clicking on the tribute wall tab.