Mary Gooden

Mary Wilkerson Gooden passed away peacefully Saturday, October 29, 2022 at her home. She was born March 6, 1945, in Lumberton, North Carolina, to the late DeLeon Wilkerson and Mary Sue Barnes Wilkerson.

Mary married Benny Register Gooden on July 11, 1975. They were blessed with two children: Mary Christopher Gooden of Atlantic Beach, NC and Nicholas Graham Gooden (Melissa) of Elizabethtown, NC. Her beloved grandchildren are Carson, Jacob and Haven Gooden and Chance Bryant. Mary is also survived by her siblings Terry Wilkerson (Nancy) and Elaine Wilkerson Britt (Jason) and many adored nieces and nephews.

Mary graduated from Campbell College, now Campbell University and taught school in Robeson, Columbus and Cumberland counties.

She was a devoted wife, mother and Mere Mere to her beloved family.

A celebration of life service will be held Tuesday, November 1, 2022, at Wesley’s Chapel Church. The Reverend Eckie Lancaster and Pastor Jonathan Hayes officiating. Visitation will be from 2:00-3:00pm in the church multipurpose building with the service at 3:00pm. Burial will follow the service in the church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to be sent to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.