Edwina Goodman

1930 - 2015

Edwina McDuffie Goodman

Jackson

Edwina Anne McDuffie Goodman, beloved wife of William (Bill) Flournoy Goodman, Jr., died on November 1, 2015, at St. Catherine's Village in Madison, Mississippi, following a lengthy illness. Edwina, a well-known Jackson artist and musician, was 85.

Edwina was born on May 18, 1930. The only child of the late James Edwin McDuffie and Myrtle Buchanan McDuffie, she spent her early years in Nettleton, Mississippi, until the family moved to Aberdeen, Mississippi.

Edwina's idyllic childhood was full of music, marching bands, church life, and hanging out and working at her father's local drug store, McDuffie Drugs. Edwina was a born performer and took to center stage at a young age. She began studying piano at age six and voice at age 13. An outstanding student, Edwina was recognized as one of four members of her senior class to be included in The High School Register.

Music led Edwina to Belhaven College, where she studied under voice teacher Mignonne Caldwell. Edwina was a member of the Belhaven Octette and Choral Ensemble. During her senior year, she had the honor of singing at the top of Belhaven's time-honored Singing Christmas Tree. Edwina found her calling in college: she sang her first operatic role as Flora in the Jackson Opera Guild's production of Giacomo Puccini's La Traviata. While at Belhaven, Edwina was a member of Mu Phi Epsilon, an honorary music sorority, Kappa Delta Epsilon, an honorary education sorority, and was named Class Favorite, Beauty, Most Gracious, and Miss Senior Class.

In 1950, Edwina and two classmates traveled with Mrs. Caldwell to New York City for a summer of study with the renowned vocal coach Estelle Liebling. Edwina might have chosen a professional singing career but for the love of her life, Bill, whom she met while he was a student at Millsaps College. In May 1951, Edwina graduated from Belhaven College. She and Bill married the following month and lived in San Antonio and El Paso for a short period of time while Bill served as a lieutenant in the United States Army during the Korean War. In 1953 they moved to Jackson, where Bill began practicing law and where they raised their three children.

Edwina's musical career flourished as Jackson embraced her talents. In 1954, she was invited to join the Chaminade Club, the oldest musical club in Mississippi. In the early days of television, she regularly performed on "The June King Show," a daytime program on WLBT-TV. Edwina was also a member of the Maurice Thompson Singers, a professional group that was in great demand to perform at conventions, meetings, and civic events. For many years she was a member of and soloist with the Chancel Choir at Galloway Memorial United Methodist Church. She also participated in the Junior League Chorus.

Edwina's singing career soared at the regional level. She sang with the Jackson Symphony Orchestra, including the role of the Blessed Damozel in Claude Debussy's work by that name.

Over the years, Edwina undertook leading operatic roles in Puccini's Suor Angelica and La Boheme and Carl Menotti's The Old Maid and the Thief, The Medium, Help, Help, the Globolinks, and Amahl and the Night Visitors. She also performed with the Mississippi Opera Touring Company. The highlight of Edwina's career was singing the role of Aida opposite Richard Tucker, one of the 20th century's leading tenors.

Edwina firmly believed in lifelong learning. She earned a master's degree of music, with an emphasis on vocal production, at Mississippi College in 1974. She was later certified as a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing.

Deeply committed to her community, Edwina volunteered tirelessly for a number of organizations. She served as the president of the Jackson Opera Guild; president of the Mississippi Opera Association, Inc.; co-chairman of the Mississippi Arts Festival; co-chairman of the Symphony Ball and of the Opera Gala; president of the Millsaps Arts and Lectures Series; and president of the Chaminade Club. Edwina was a member of numerous other organizations, including the Junior League of Jackson, Play Readers, and the Hinds County Lawyers' Wives. In 1988, the Mississippi Opera Guild acknowledged Edwina with its Volunteer of the Year Award. In 2004, the Chaminade Club honored her for 50 years of service as a member.

Edwina's competitive streak was evident on the tennis courts and at the bridge table. She loved her baby grand piano, which she played often for Bill while he read at home. She moved nimbly from classical music and hymns to cabaret tunes and jazz. For over 40 years, Edwina and a small group of close friends enjoyed testing recipes and cooking together.

In the late 1980's, Edwina discovered a new passion. After taking art lessons from nationally-acclaimed watercolorist and close friend John Gaddis, Edwina became an accomplished artist in her own right. She exhibited at galleries, libraries, churches, and juried shows across the South, winning "Best in Show" on numerous occasions. More than a dozen one-woman shows featured her works. Edwina was a prolific painter during her 25-year art career.

Edwina was a member of the Jackson Watercolor Group and served as the president of the Mississippi Watercolor Society. For many years she was represented by Brown's Fine Art Gallery. Edwina especially enjoyed painting from her studio in Highlands, North Carolina, where she and Bill spent more than 20 summers. In 2011, Edwina published the memoir Singing on Canvas, in which she shared her favorite paintings, including her celebrated Christmas cards.

Edwina was truly a remarkable and creative woman, loved by family and friends. Her grandchildren knew her as Mame, a one-of-a-kind personality with an unwavering faith, strong love of family, and competitive spirt.

Edwina is survived by her husband of 64 years, William F. Goodman, Jr., of Jackson, Mississippi, and her three children: Will Goodman (Tommie) of Nashville, Tennessee; Pat Ammons (Clifford) of Ridgeland, Mississippi; and Meg Richards (Dan) of Durham, North Carolina. She is also survived by six grandchildren, William Goodman (Nell Knox), Nancy Elizabeth Goodman Dement (Matt), Clifford Ammons (Lauren), Mitchell Ammons Walters (Matthew), Clark Richards (Jordan), and Emily Richards; six great-grandchildren; sister-in-law Julia Goodman Puryear of Hazlehurst, Mississippi; and several cousins.

Family and friends will celebrate the life of Edwina Goodman with a memorial service at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 4 at Galloway Memorial United Methodist Church. The family will receive visitors 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 3 and 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 4 in Reception Halls A and B at Galloway Church. Suggestions for memorial gifts include Galloway Memorial United Methodist Church (music ministry), 305 North Congress Street, Jackson, MS 39201; Palmer Home for Children, P.O. Box 746, Columbus, MS 39703; or the Mississippi Opera Association, 201 East Pascagoula Street, #105, Jackson, MS 39201. The Goodman family expresses profound appreciation to the staff at St. Catherine's Village for their professional efforts, dedication, and kindness.