Mary Frances Goodman Minthorn, 87, of Tifton passed away Saturday, November 21, 2020, at Legacy Village in Tifton. Due to Covid-19 precautions, a private graveside funeral service and burial will be held for Mrs. Minthorn for the immediate family.
Born November 4, 1933 in Berrien County, Mrs. Minthorn was the daughter of the late Jimmie Whitley and Mollie Sirmans Whitley. She was also preceded in death by her first husband and father of her children, Obie Goodman in 1978; one son, Phil Goodman in 1979; one brother, Forrest Whitley; two sisters, Evelyn Sturgis and Audrey Sumner; and her second husband, Richard Minthorn. Before moving to Reigelsville, Pennsylvania with her second husband in 1983, she worked as a bookkeeper for Turner’s Fine Furniture. After her return to Tifton in 1992, she enjoyed managing the General Store at the Georgia Agrirama (now Georgia Museum of Agricultural and Historic Village) and working as a tax preparer for H&R Block until her retirement. She was a member of Macedonia Baptist Church in Chula. Mary Frances was an excellent seamstress, an avid reader and a passionate gardener. Her favorite pastime was working for many hours in her yard and flower beds.
Mrs. Minthorn is survived by one daughter, Sue Goodman Dees of Tifton; two sons and one daughter-in-law, David and Mary Goodman of Brandon, Florida and Mark Goodman of Valdosta; two brothers, James Oswald Whitley of Fitzgerald and Dal-Jean Whitley of Charleston, South Carolina; two sisters and one brother-in-law, Betty Pollard of Lakeland, Florida and Lyndia and Glenn Pierce of Lake Oconee; five grandchildren and their spouses, Jennifer Dees Brown, Sabrina Dees Griffin and her husband Chris, Lisa Goodman Givens and her husband John Derrick, Nicole Goodman and Lance Collins and Samantha Goodman Donahue and her husband Jordan; seven great-grandchildren, Cayson Brown, Carter Brown, Cohen Griffin, Emma-James Griffin, Aubree Givens, Jace Givens and Luke Collins; and many nieces and nephews..
The family would like to express their appreciation to Regency SouthernCare Hospice, Southern Home Medical, and the exceptional staff at Bowen-Donaldson. A special thank you to the wonderful staff at Legacy Village of Tifton for the loving care they have provided for Mrs. Minthorn, “Gigi”, during her courageous battle with Alzheimers over the past few years.
Flowers will be accepted or memorial gifts may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 2402 North Tift Avenue, Suite 102, Tifton, GA 31794.