Betty L. Goddard

Betty Louise Goddard (84) of Paola, KS passed away on December 23, 2025 at Colonial Oaks Senior Living Memory Care of Alzheimer's/Lewy Body Dementia.

She was born in Wichita, KS, on December 6, 1941, to William Earl and Gennettie Isabella McCoy Thurman.

Betty attended Olathe High School, became a CNA and worked at Olathe Community Hospital. She later graduated from JCCC School of Nursing with an LPN and worked at Shawnee Mission Medical Center and Johnson County Dialysis Center. She was a Certified Midwife through The North Texas School of Midwifery. Betty delivered hundreds of babies over the years and was a wonderful natural childbirth educator. She was the consummate homemaker and a fabulous cook.

Betty’s life was one of great faith, ministry, and uncompromising devotion. It was spent learning how to love, honor, and obey her Savior. As a result of that faith and devotion, she gave her life selflessly and wholeheartedly to her children, family, friends, and community. She taught Sunday School, women’s Bible studies for the senior living community in her area, opened her home in ministry to many youth, was a shelter and safe home for victims of domestic violence, discipled many in her faith, dedicated 15 years of her life as a fulltime caretaker for her mother, was a foster grandparent for Paola Elementary School, and fulfilled a lifelong dream of missionary work with a medical missions trip to Guatemala.

Her life was one of service, selflessness, and generosity. She poured her life, love, and knowledge into her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. There is not a life that she touched in which she did not indelibly leave her mark. Her impact will be felt for generations. It can truly be said of her... “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2Ti 4:7)

Betty was preceded in death by her parents William Thurman and Gennettie Thurman and her youngest son Benjamin Goddard.

She is survived by her sister Barbara Powles, her sons Allen Goddard, Mark Goddard (Tammy), Bruce Goddard (Kerry), her daughters Penny Roberts (Jay), Rebecca Schuetz (Vincent), Joanna Piccirillo (Paul), 20 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren and 2 on the way.

The family will receive visitation at Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home 14275 S. Blackbob Rd., Olathe, KS 66062, on 12/29/2025 from 6-8 pm.

Graveside Services will be held on 12/30/2025 at Oaklawn Memorial Gardens 13901 Blackbob Rd., Olathe, KS 66062, at 11am.