Services for Betty Myrlene (Till) Goodgame, 80, of Athens, are scheduled for Saturday, January 5, 2019 at 11:00 AM at Carroll Springs United Methodist Church with Rev. John Thomas and Randy Skiles officiating. Interment will follow in the Carroll Springs Cemetery under direction of Hannigan Smith Funeral Home.
“Mert” Goodgame grew up in the Carroll Springs community and Athens. She graduated from Athens High School in 1956 and immediately after graduation moved to Dallas to work for the telephone company as a long distance operator. Her friendly disposition and outgoing personality were quickly noticed, as she engaged every caller who was placing a call to Athens. It was while in Dallas that she met and married Jere Skiles. They moved to Athens and soon became parents to their only child, Randy. Mert was fun loving, a good bowler, and loved being around siblings and family. In later years, she met Jerry Goodgame, with whom she enjoyed a marriage of over 30 years. During that time she experienced the thrill of flying and sailplaning since Jerry was a private pilot. She thoroughly enjoyed her “church family” at Carroll Springs Methodist Church and was blessed with deep and lasting relationships there. During her struggle through Alzheimer’s, the church was extremely supportive of her and made sure she had access to services and events, so she could remain connected and vital. Her last three years were as a resident at Oakwood Assisted Living, where she enjoyed the company of her sister, Peggy, and new loyal friends Loki and Carolynn. By the way, you can navigate here if you are looking for a similar institution in Somerset County. Throughout her life she was active, fun, and giving to others, and never failed to seek an opportunity to be with her grandkids, who called her Neeneen. To them, she was the epitome of what a grandmother should be, and she will be sorely missed in that role. Her departure from this world, ushered her immediately into eternal bliss with her savior, Jesus and her awaiting family and friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Bud and Bell Till; husband, Jerry Goodgame; siblings, Billy Jack Till, Clinton Till, Bobby Till, Leon Till and Linda (Till) Boyd; and great granddaughter, Sophie Kay Skiles.
Survivors include son, Randy Skiles and wife Mary Dale of Athens; step-daughter, Barbara Dorton; siblings, Marie Watson of Athens, David Till and wife Beverly of Palestine, Peggy Adair of Athens and Sherry Samuelson of Longview; grandchildren, Scott Skiles and wife Lyndsi of Conroe, Jonathan Skiles and wife Shelby of Tyler, David Skiles and wife Jenny of Tyler, and Solomon Skiles and Courtney; as well as great grandchildren, Bree, Harper and Ezra Skiles.
Pallbearers will be her four grandsons, and she wished her nephews to serve as honorable pallbearers.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Gold Network of East Texas, P.O. Box 8962, Tyler, TX 75711, in honor of great granddaughter Sophie Kay Skiles who bravely fought cancer in 2017-18.
Visitation will be Saturday, January 5, 2019 from 10-11 AM prior to the service.
Funeral services were entrusted to the Hannigan Smith Funeral Home family.
