FISK — On Feb. 11, 1934, in the hills of Tennessee, a star was born. There was no red carpet - no pomp & circumstance - no extravagant gifts brought when Dorothy Geneva Baugus was born to Frank & Edna Baugus.
No one recognized on that day that Dorothy Baugus, who would later become Dorothy Goodrich in 1951 when she married BA Goodrich, no one recognized on that winter day in 1934 that she was a star. No one knew then just how brightly she would shine in the lives of so many people. But shine she did!!!
The thing that made her shine so brightly was her love — her love for God, for God’s Word, for going to God’s house with God’s people. She loved family and friends (who were just like family). If you were ever in her home, you thought you were family because that’s how she treated you. She loved life!
She seemed to have endless energy. She could work in the field all day, plant a garden, cook meals for her family, run a household and still find time to have fun — time to be out in the field playing ball or jumping in the truck and going to the river. She lived with a fierce passion for every part of life.
For those of us who have been blessed to have known this star, Dorothy Goodrich, our lives will be forever impacted by the light that shone in her and through her.
Her legacy continues through her children, Sandra Murphy (Jerry), Debra Sells (John), Jenny Miller (Kent), Penny Burson (Keith) and Bruce Goodrich (Kellie); and her grandchildren, Jerrod Murphy (Beth), Joel Murphy (Jessica), Sarah Hicks (Jeff), Amy Wilmath (Jeff), Shianna Walker (Eric), Travis Templemire (Cassie), George Roland (Andrea), Benjamin Miller (Sofia), Jonathan Miller (Brittaney), Samuel Miller (Ashley), Austin Goodrich, Brian Goodrich, Olivia Goodrich and Ella Goodrich.
Some quotes from some of her grandchildren — “She was always singing and making up songs about whatever she was doing. It was always off key, but it was still the most beautiful sound to me. She always sang an Amy Maria song to me that she made up except my name is not Amy Maria.” “She was a prankster who liked to get a laugh, whether it was hiding catfish bait in your room or a mousetrap in your bed.” “If you were blessed to know Dorothy Goodrich, you loved her. If you ever shook her hand, you never forgot it. She loved each of us grandkids so much. Some of my fondest memories are on the Goodrich Farm.”
And her legacy continues through her 32 great grandchildren and two great, great grandchildren. Great Granddaughter Lauren wrote, “She was strong, confident and hardworking. She was also kind and gentle. She gave the best bear hugs and firmest handshakes. She was boisterous and had an infectious laugh that would echo through crowds. When she walked into a room you knew she was there. She never met a stranger. The light she gave off alone was enough to illuminate the darkest nights. To know her was to love her and my goodness did this woman love. She loved people. She loved her husband, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, her great, great grandchildren, friends and church family fiercely, but most importantly, she loved her Jesus. She had a burning passion for Christ unlike anybody I’ve ever known. She and Grandpa gave life to more people than their own children. They worked hard and lived big. They showed all of us what life actually means.”
Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents Frank & Edna Baugus, her husband BA Goodrich, her brothers James Baugus, Ramsey Baugus, Brooks Baugus, Harold Baugus, Douglas Baugus, Bill Baugus, Freeman Baugus and one sister Frankie Baugus Smith, her daughter Naomi Barker and great grandson Elijah Wilmath. Her brother Jerry Baugus survives.
On Sunday, Nov. 7 at the close of day surrounded by her family who she loved so much, this star Dorothy Geneva Goodrich left this earthly home and stepped into her eternal home onto streets of gold. I dare to say — there was a parade — there was pomp & circumstance, everyone celebrating what a bright star she had been and then she received the extravagant gift of kneeling at the feet of her Savior and Lord, Jesus, for whom she had shined so brightly.
Visitation will begin at 5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021 at Palace of Praise in Poplar Bluff. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday in the church sanctuary with Bishop Kent Miller officiating. Burial will follow at Brown Chapel Cemetery in Broseley.
Condolences: www.whitesandersfuneralhome.com.