Obituary

Today, we honor the remarkable life of Rev. Dr. Evelyn D. Gooden, a woman of unwavering faith, and service, who walked faithfully with God for 98 blessed years. Rev. Dr. Evelyn D. Gooden was born March 7, 1926 in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. She was the second of eight children born to the late Bishop J. Z. and Mother Anna Smith. Both parents were ministers in the Church of God, where she was raised and her roots grew deep in a tradition of ministry and service. Her legacy began in the very heart of the church, as she was born and christened in the original Church of God building, a legacy carried on by her parents, who were charter members of this spiritual foundation of the very first beginning of the Church along with their first Pastor, Bishop J. H. Curry. And, She was present at the groundbreaking ceremonies for the remodeling of the existing church building, 79 years ago.

In 1943 she married James Gooden, the son of Rev. and Mrs. Lindy Gooden, of Lee County, South Carolina; both also ministers. Bishop Gooden was drafted and served in the United States Armed Forces in 1943 through the European Theater Operations during World War II.

In March 1946, upon returning home from combat, Bishop Gooden, kept his promise to God, that if God brought him home alive, he would serve God for the rest of his life. He and his wife, Evelyn D. Gooden, both gave their hearts and lives to God. They were both wonderfully saved, sanctified, and filled with the Holy Ghost. This spiritual experience led to a lifetime commitment to faithfully serve the Lord Jesus Christ with an obedient heart anytime and anywhere. With God's help, Bishop James Gooden and Mother Evelyn Gooden reared and educated seven daughters and one son. They stood together on God’s Word, “to train up a child in the way they should go, …” and, she passed on to the children a legacy of a relationship to Jesus Christ, exemplified by Christian service, faithfulness, obedience to God’s Word and a life of prayer.

Bishop and Mother Gooden began to faithfully serve God in the Church of God at 211 NW 5th Ave., Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. The journey in ministry for Rev. Dr. Evelyn D. Gooden was expansive and humble. She began as an Usher, Choir member, Musician, Choir Director and Sunday School teacher. These levels of service should remind all of us that, “whoever is trusted with little can also be trusted with much”, Luke 16:10. Little becomes much when placed in the Master's hand. In 1979 she was Licensed as Evangelist Evelyn Gooden. She was called and anointed by God to take the Good News of Jesus Christ to the world and spent 14 years as a missionary, to Jamaica, the Bahamas Island, and Florida, in accordance to God’s Word in Matthew 28:18-20, “Go ye therefore…”. Many souls came to Christ during Church revivals as her voice carried the Gospel’s power, her words reaching countless hearts as she proclaimed the Good News under the Power and Anointing of God. As an Evangelist and Conference speaker, she spoke in several Conventions, under the conviction of the Holy Spirit, and the Word of God, at Church of God Florida State Conventions, receiving the Faithful Evangelist Service Award, in Atlanta, GA, at the 5th Annual Southern State Missions Convention, and many other speaking engagements.

To futher her ministerial education, in accordance with 2 Tim. 2:15, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God....”, she was awarded, on April of 1985, by the Department of General Education, Church of God, Cleveland, Tennessee, the Diploma of Distinction, Bible Institute for Ministerial Enrichment. In April of 1989, Mother Gooden completed her studies in the School of Theology, Ft. Lauderdale District Church of God. God had prepared her as a mother of seven daughters, to teach, train and lead other women. In 1995 she became a Ladies Ministries Department member Church of God, 5th Avenue Temple, then, District Ladies Auxiliary President, and later, a member of the Church of God International Ladies Ministries, and the Ladies Ministry President, 5th Ave Church of God Temple. Additionally, she was a member of Clergy Women United. She continued to seek knowledge and wisdom in her ministerial career by pursuing and obtaining a Doctor of Ministry degree on July 29, 2000, and was Ordained as a Minister in the Church of God by Bishop Quan Miller, Administrative Bishop of Florida, Cocoa Beach.

For over 70 years, Rev. Dr. Evelyn D. Gooden faithfully served by the side of her husband, Bishop James Gooden through each pastorate, as a Pastor’s wife, first lady and herself now an Ordained Minister in the Church of God and later Church Mother, including; Dania Beach Church of God, Resurrection Life Church of God-Delray, Fifth Street Church of God - West Palm Beach, and Fifth Avenue Church of God Temple – Ft. Lauderdale. After retiring, they were called to Interim Ministry in Deerfield, Greater Ft. Lauderdale, and Hallandale. During each pastorate together, they left each church with tremendous spiritual growth, increased membership, and sanctuary improvements.

Other civic and ministry areas of service include an extensive Nursing Career while serving in ministry. In April of 1960, Evelyn D. Gooden became a Member of the National Nurses Professional Registry of Broward County Inc., working as a nurse in the Surgical Unit, working with Dr. Von D. Mizell at Historic Provident Hospital. She was honored as one of the first Nurses’ Aides at Provident Hospital, the first Hospital that served the Broward County African American community. Later In April of 1969, she became a Private Duty Nurse until retirement. With a heart of compassion, she volunteered with outreach at the Northfork Housing Project in Ft. Lauderdale, and with other organizations, including, North Broward Hospital District, Auxiliary Volunteer, Holy Cross Hospital–Volunteer Services, American Red Cross, kindergarten room mother and as a Poll Worker for Broward County. She has completed coursework for beginner sign language, at West Lauderdale Baptist Church, and was a licensed and Certified Notary Public. She and Bishop Gooden are the founders of the Chapel of Hope School for training Ministers.

Rev. Dr. Evelyn D. Gooden leaves behind a legacy of faith, love, and resilience, carried on by her family. Her life serves as a powerful testament to the impact one woman can have when guided by God’s hand. Today, we remember her not only as a servant of God but as a pillar of strength, grace, and unwavering devotion; knowing that her influence will continue through the many lives she touched and the seeds of faith she planted. May her memory forever inspire us to live lives of love, humility, and faithful service.

Preceding her in death are her husband, Rev. Dr. James Gooden and her daughter, Dr. Janie Gooden- Greenleaf (Claude). She is survived by daughters – Edith Gooden-Thompson (Maurice), Cleo Stroud, Marva Gooden, Rev. Linda Gooden Smith (Rev. Charles), Rev. Kathy Gooden Flowers (Edsel), Faye Gooden-Williams, and one son, Raymond A. Gooden. Included in those left to mourn are 17 Grandchildren, 37 Great Grandchildren, and 4 Great Great Grandchildren.