Margaret Keeton Goodson

Mrs. Margaret Keeton Goodson, 81, of Dalton passed away January 31, 2010 at Hamilton Medical Center following a stroke.
She is the daughter of the late Thomas Thurston and Edna Rhinehart Keeton, and sister of the late Mary Ann Autry and Clifford E. Keeton.
Survivors include her beloved husband, Joe D. Goodson of Dalton, daughters and spouses, Don and Brenda Hoffmeyer, Margaret Anne and Wesley Graves, Paula Goodson Keener, all of Dalton and son, Brad and Amy Goodson of Alpharetta, GA; grandchildren, Wesley Graves, Jr., Nicholas Graves, Hudson Keener, Hunter Keener all of Dalton, Brooke and Claire Goodson of Alpharetta, GA, Joseph Hoffmeyer of Rock Hill, SC and Christi Hoffmeyer of Arlington, VA; great grandchildren, Hannah and Matthew Graves of Dalton; brother Charles G. Keeton of Culloden, GA, niece Leanne and Bill Hale of Signal Mountain, TN and great nephews William and Michael Hale of Chattanooga, TN.
Margaret graduated from The Baroness Erlanger School of Nursing in 1950. Upon graduation, she worked at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D.C. She returned to her hometown of Chickamauga, GA and married her childhood friend and classmate, Joe Goodson. She and her family moved to Dalton in 1963 and were active members of the Dalton community. As a member of the First Presbyterian Church, she served as a teacher, circle leader, food pantry chairman, youth leader, and scout leader. She served many years as den mother for the Friendship House Boy Scout troop and in 1973 was awarded the Silver Fawn for Distinguished Service to Boyhood by the Northwest Council of the Boy Scouts of America.
Her love was her family and her passion was service to youth. She volunteered as a school nurse, was active in the PTA, Catamount Band Club, co-chairing their annual fund raising event, the “Straw Hat Follies”, and was part of the first group of volunteers at the GreenHouse, a center for sexually abused children.
Services will be Tuesday February 2, 2010 at 1:00 p.m. in the sanctuary of the First Presbyterian Church of Dalton with the Rev. Mickey Shealy officiating.
Her grandsons and great nephews will serve as pall bearers. “The Lunch Bunch” and their spouses will serve as honorary pall bearers.
Burial will be in West Hill Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home Monday evening, February 1, 2010 from 5:30 until 8:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the “Friends of the GreenHouse Building Fund” P.O. Box 953, Dalton, GA 30722-0953 or First Presbyterian Church, 510 South Tibbs Road, Dalton, GA., 30720.
Words of comfort may be sent to the family at www.lovefuneralhomega.com.
Love Funeral Home, 1402 N. Thornton Ave., Dalton (across from Hamilton Medical Center) is in charge of arrangements.