Cornelius Goode

Bonaire- Cornelius "Neil" Goode (Buddy) passed away Friday July 27, 2012 at his residence. Visitation will be Saturday August 4, 2012 from 1-2 P.M. Services will be held Saturday August 4, 2012 at 2:00 P.M. in the chapel of Heritage Memorial Funeral Home. Evangelist B.J. Torres will officiate. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to American Diabetes Association Savannah Office at 5105 Paulsen St, Suite C236, Savannah GA, 31405. Neil was born February 4, 1941 in Moorestown, NJ to the parentage of the late Leon Dillard and the late Alice Goode Willis. Neil received his education in the Camden County, NJ school system. He entered into the United States Marine Corps in 1960, where he served his country as a Corpsman. After his military stint, he began employment with NJ Bell as a telephone installer. While working at NJ Bell, he continued his education at Rutgers University, pursuing a degree in Business Administration. Neil served faithfully with NJ Bell, progressing from installer to management. After 30 years of service, he retired from NJ Bell as an engineer. Neil was introduced to Ella by B.J. Torres. Later they were married, and to this union Corlice Ellen was born. Among all of his friends, no one knew Neil like Ella. She was devoted to him until the end. Corlice, the youngest of his children, seemed to bring out the best in him in his mature age, and he imparted his love of reading and puzzles into his "babycakes." Although Neil was a quiet, private person, those who had the pleasure of knowing him got to experience a great conversationalist. He was well versed and analytical, an avid reader and a lover of jazz music. He even dabbled at playing the saxophone. Neil is preceded in death by his mother and father, and stepbrother, Eugene Willis. He leaves to cherish his memory his stepfather, George Willis Sr. of Camden NJ; his stepbrother, George Willis Jr. (Carolyn) of Lawnside, NJ; six loving children, Donna Gamble and Monica Kelly, both of Camden, NJ, Terry Holmes (Pamela) of Pawley's Island, SC, Paula Battle of Warner Robins, GA, Cassandra Gaymon of Evans, GA and Corlice Goode (Cleophus) of Washington, DC; seven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; two granddogs (Blu and Dallas) and a host of relatives and sorrowing friends. Heritage Memorial Funeral Home will be in charge of the arrangements.