July 4, 1933 - October 4, 2023
The graveside service for Rubye “Marlee” Goddard, 90, will be held at 2:00 pm, Tuesday, October 10, at the Garber Cemetery, under direction of Brown-Cummings Funeral Home. Viewing is open until service date.
Marlee was a “Fourth of July” baby, born to David and Stephana Colson Gathercole on her mother’s birthday in 1933, in Superior, Wyoming. As a young girl, she thought annual firework displays and community merriment were all in celebration of her birthday!
She died at her home in Enid on October 4, 2023, with her daughter, Lori, by her side.
In 1947, Marlee came to live in Garber, Oklahoma; met and married Roy L Goddard in 1948. The couple lived in Enid where Roy owned Sinclair Service Station, worked in insurance, and owned BR&D Real Estate Company. Marlee was a homemaker, devoted mother/cheerleader/supporter to four children, Bill, Debra, Roy Jr, and Lori.
In later years, Roy and Marlee dealt in antiques and furniture restoration. Marlee was a gifted seamstress and artisan who created using multiple media including charcoal, pastels, acrylic paints, ceramics, and wood. On several occasions, her ceramic pieces were entered and won First Prize in the Garfield County Fair. Today, much of her creative work resides in the homes of her children and grandchildren and is treasured.
In addition to family, what Marlee most cherished was the life-changing decision to accept Jesus Christ as her Savior, made on December 21, 1979, at the age of 46. Following her decision to trust Christ, she was baptized and became an active member of Emmanuel Baptist Church and her beloved Lydia Sunday School class. Marlee became certified in the Evangelism Explosion equipping ministry and regularly shared her faith.
To listen to her pray was a delight! Every prayer was begun with, “Dear Heavenly Father, we love You.” How GLORIOUS that she is now expressing her love face-to-face!
Marlee was preceded in death by her parents; her sisters; and a brother, as well as her husband, Roy; and a great-grandson, Dakota Buckminster.
She is survived by her children, William (Kay) Goddard of Columbia, Missouri; Debra (Jerry) Buckminster of Enid; Dr Roy Jr (Cindy) Goddard of Edmond, and Lori Goddard of Enid; and by 13 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.
We wish to thank Dr Christopher Shultz and Sabine Deshazo for their medical care of many years.
We are grateful to COMPLETEOK Hospice staff, Tammie; Kay; Kendra, and Teresa; and most especially to Denise Barnes for her selfless, compassionate, loving care in Marlee’s last days.
A plaque in Mom’s kitchen expresses our hearts, “The world may never know that you cared more – gave more – shared more than was expected, but Mother, we know.”
MIZPAH.
Obituaries are posted, in part, due to the generosity of The Commons.
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