Patricia Goddard Wooten

October 10, 1946- March 25, 2023

Patricia Marie Goddard Wooten went to be with her Lord Jesus on March 25, 2023.

Patty was born in Bryan Texas, the 3rd child for Maj. Gen. Guy H Goddard and Margaret Roberts Goddard.

She was one of 6 children and like all Air Force “brats” moved around a lot as a young child, to places including North Africa and Panama.  She is survived by her sister Becky Rizek from Satellite Beach, Florida, brother John Goddard from Alexandria ,VA, and sister, Peggy Goddard Terrell from Lynchburg, and many nieces and nephews and grand-nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her oldest brother Guy H. Goddard and her youngest sister, Rosemary Goddard.

She worked for the government in Washington D.C. for over 30 years commuting every day to work with her husband Tom Wooten. Travelling was part of their fun as they ventured to Arizona many times.

Patty was the one who kept everyone’s birthday straight. She knew the names and birthdays of almost all nieces and nephews and brothers and sisters. Her cards would arrive weeks early to be sure she had done her job.

After her husband Tom passed, she moved to Walkersville, MD to be close to her brother Guy and wife Linda and their 8 children.  They looked after her faithfully until Guy passed away in 2017.

She moved to Lynchburg in 2017, joined St Thomas More Parish and resided at Heritage Green Assisted Living and finally Memory Care at Heritage Green. She battled dementia for the last 5-6 years.

She was  given Communion almost every week by our wonderful Communion minister team led by Anne Scarletto.  Robert Allen, Yvonne Calloway, and Regina Burrows and Rick Terrell, her brother-in-law brought her Communion often. Robert had brought her Communion the day before she passed.  Thank you, thank you Robert.

At Heritage Green, she met a new family, those who cared for her daily- Jennifer, Sheryl , Lauren, Sam, Tina, Shaday, Tyra, Neesha, Pepe, Mary, Kirsha , Dawn, Zee, Andrea , Coco and last but not least Zakiyah, LPN, Resident Care Director and Kim, LPN, ALFA, ED,  the Executive Director of Heritage Green who looked after Patty and her medical needs.  Thank you also to Heather, the past Executive Director. We are grateful to you all. Peace and blessings to you.

A Funeral Mass will be conducted at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, March 31, 2023 at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, with the Rev. Msgr Michael D. McCarron officiating.

A “Remembrance of Patty”

To my Aunt Patty

Patricia Marie Goddard Wooten was a dear soul to me. Although we did not see each other much, I will never forget her kind outreach to me. She helped my mother when we were children and I remember her kindness towards Rosemary. I also remember how much she loved the Goddard family and always spoke of them constantly. All of you were everything to Patty.

In the later years of her life, I tried to make it a point to call her and she would call me. While often times her calls were random and brief, it was still so special to hear her voice. She would say to me: “Ann Margaret, this is your Aunt Patty calling” and we would exchange pleasantries.

When Grandma Goddard had her 90th birthday party, I’ll never forget how Aunt Patty just wanted so much to give Grandma this gift she had for her and was so persistent in doing so. This was truly a special moment for me.

Patty also remembered everyone’s birthdays and it really instilled me in that love as well. This is how this tradition became important to me, from seeing the way Patty made it important to her. It inspired me to go above and beyond in showing love for others.

Patty did not have an easy life but despite it all, she persisted, and she loved her family and was so dedicated in showing that. Her example of family love will always be in my heart. I know she loved her husband Tom, and her Goddard family so so much.

I am deeply saddened by her death, but she is no longer suffering, and is at peace. Let us take peace in that consolation

To Peggy, Rick, Johnny, Pam, Becky, Jim, Linda, to your families, and to our extended family members as well, know that Patty is with her beloved Tom, Grandma, Grandpa, Guy, Rosemary, John Rizek, and all of our family members gone before us, in Heaven and in the Peace of our Beloved Christ. Know that you did all you could for Patty in honor of Grandma and Grandpa, also.  Ann Margaret Zelenka