Mary Goddard

ANNA, Ill. -- Mary Helen Goddard, 97, of Anna died Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2005, at Union County Hospital.

She was born Dec. 30, 1907, on the family farm west of Jonesboro, Ill., daughter of John Jasper "J.J." and Mary Naomi Gillespie Boyd Sr. She and Byrl Alton Goddard were married Sept. 23, 1927. He died March 31, 1988.

Goddard was a 1926 graduate of Anna-Jonesboro High School. She was employed many years at International Shoe Co.

In the mid-1950s she and her husband moved to Carbondale, Ill., and were host parents to numerous young men attending Southern Illinois University. After retiring they returned to Anna.

She was a member of Anna Heights Baptist Church and was formerly active in Union County Homemakers Extension Club.

Survivors include nieces and nephews, Robert Boyd and Linda LaFoon of Anna, Anita Ord of Camp Hill, Pa., Joe and Bill Boyd and Emily Meyer of Cobden, Ill., Boyd Davis of Sun City West, Ariz., Jane Amos of Fairfax, Va., Harold Boyd of Mount Vernon, Ill., Martha Casper of Las Vegas, Nev., and a friend, Lazelle Snell of Anna.

She was preceded in death by four brothers and two sisters.

Friends may call at Lutz and Rendleman Funeral Home in Anna from 10 a.m. to service time Friday.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Al Campbell officiating. Burial will be in Anna City Cemetery.