Farrell Goodrich

1938 - 2025

We celebrate the life of Farrell Barrett Goodrich, who passed away peacefully on October 7, 2025. She was born February 2, 1938, to William Ross Barrett and Farrell Baker Barrett in Seneca, South Carolina.

Though Farrell was a self-proclaimed "city girl" from Columbia, SC, some of her fondest memories were from summers spent on her grandmother's farm in Westminster, SC. She graduated from Dreher High School in 1956 where she was a member of Les Coquettes and earned her degree from the University of South Carolina in 1960 where she pledged Pi Beta Phi. During college her family moved to Winston-Salem, NC, where she met and married her true love, David Goodrich. Together, they built a wonderful life together for 48 years until David's passing in 2010.

Her family moved around a bit for David's job-first to New Orleans, then to Miami-but wherever they went, Farrell made friends easily. When they returned to Winston-Salem in 1972, Farrell went on to teach pre-kindergarten through 3rd grade for 34 years. She said every class was her best yet. She retired from Sherwood Forest Elementary in 2005.

A quintessential southern belle, Farrell was known for her distinctive and wonderful southern accent. She loved a deviled egg topped with a green olive, refused to drive on a 4-lane road, and never pumped her own gas. Yet Farrell was also known for her many talents, including cooking, quilting, and growing and arranging flowers. She never missed a chance to browse an antique store in search of a new blown glass paperweight and loved wandering the aisles at TJ Maxx. She also made time every month to chat with her childhood friend Ann Wells, ensuring that no conversation was ever too short. Above all, Farrell loved her family. She attended every game, recital, and school event her children were involved in, proudly serving as grade chairman for many years at Sherwood Forest Elementary.

In 2011, Farrell moved in with her daughter, Missy, and her family. Together, they took on the adventure of a lifetime when they moved to Lake Jackson, TX. Farrell embraced the new chapter and made it clear that you're never too old to try something new. Her family will forever miss her laugh, her fun-loving spirit, her stories, and her incredibly giving nature.

Farrell was preceded in death by her parents, Farrell and Ross Barrett, her beloved husband, David Goodrich, and her sister, Beverly Isley. She is survived by her son Whit Goodrich (Missy) of Charlotte, NC; son Matt Goodrich (Jessica) of Denver, NC; daughter Missy Link (Jason) of Lake Jackson, TX; sister Pam Hodnett (Rusty) of Columbia, SC; brother-in-law Tim Isley of Winston-Salem; and sister-in-law Margaret Hodge of Albuquerque, NM. She had nine grandchildren whom she loved dearly: Carter, Addison, Davis, Ross, Grace, Landis, Jonathan, James, and Callie. She will also be remembered fondly by her two nieces, a nephew, and many, many Barrett and Baker family first cousins.

The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the incredible staff at Sodalis Senior Living, Gentiva Hospice in Lake Jackson, and Teena White from Cornerstone Caregiving, for the love and joy they brought to Farrell this past year. She considered you all as friends. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Farrell's memory to a charity of your choice and call an old friend.