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Rev Dr. Vera Faye Goodman went to live in God's loving presence on May 27, 2026.

Vera was born in Pratt, Kansas to Jess Monroe Goodman and Ethel (Schouten) Goodman on July 8,1926. She grew up in Pratt where she attended school and accepted Christ when she was 10 years old. She attended Ottawa University and graduated with MRE, MDIV degrees from Central Baptist Theological Seminary and McCormick Theological Seminary. She taught shorthand and typing for two years at Arkansas City and then was a Christian Education Director, at First Baptist Church in Ottawa and later at Prairie Baptist Church, for a total of 20 years.

Vera served as Christian Education and Camping for the American Baptist Churches of the Central region for 18 ½ years. She served as a member of the General Board of American Baptist Churches, USA and Central Region, was on the Board of Trustees of Ottawa University and Central Baptist Theological Seminary and numerous committees of the American Baptist Churches. She served as adjunct professor of Christian Education classes at Central Baptist Theological Seminary and served as President of Ottawa University Alumni Association from 1974-1975. Vera received the Distinguished Service Award at Ottawa University in 1977 and received Alumna of the Year Award at Central Baptist Seminary in 1985.

Christian Education was the right vocation for Vera and she Loved Ottawa University. Her passion was young children and youth being taught to know Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. There were Christian mentors to help her, along the way of her career, and she was blessed with many opportunities. One of her highlights was the building of the education building in Ottawa. She loved taking youth to camps and seeing them grow spiritually. Vera taught many discipleship classes and retreats and helped host the State BYF convention. She also enjoyed getting adult leaders to Green Lake, Wisconsin for continuing education seminars.

Vera's career and volunteerism gave her so many opportunities and she truly made a difference in so many people's lives. Vera loved her family and they were the joy and love of her life. She also loved hundreds of friends and families who made her life rich and meaningful, and kept in contact with numerous friends that she had made through the years of her work and retirement. She always said she was rich with faith in God, a big, great family and hundreds of wonderful friends.

Vera's life was a beautiful example of God's unconditional love, devotion, kindness, forgiveness and hope. She will be deeply missed and forever cherished by her nieces and nephews: Jim Meririman and wife Paget of New Bern North Carolina, Phil Goodman and wife Deena of Leawood, Kansas, Lee Staerkel and husband Ron of Wichita, Kansas, John Calbeck and wife Kari of Topeka, Kansas, Kris Rogers and husband Dean of Enid, Oklahoma, Jess Goodman and wife Kim of Enid Oklahoma, Stacie Schultz and husband Bill of Pond Creek, Oklahoma, Mark Goodman of Enid, Oklahoma, David Harms and wife Gail of Brenham, Texas, Larry Mardis, Elizabeth (Mardis) Mbroh, and Nancy (Mardis) Fisher of Overland Park, Kansas, along with several great and great-great nieces and nephews.

Vera was preceded in death by her parents: Jess and Ethel Goodman; brothers: Glen, Edgar Max, Jess Monroe Jr., Vernon Lee, and Roy Eugene; sisters: Mae Deane Merriman and Freida Calbeckand nieces: Barbara Muller, Ann Mardis Barber, Sheila Mardis, Linn Goodman and Susan Calbeck.

Memorials may be made to Ottawa University or Hospice Circle of Love in Enid Oklahoma.

There will be a private service for family.