Mary

Mary GoodnerMary Allen Poff Goodner rose to meet her Savior in the early morning of Friday, Aug. 30, 2013, after an extended battle with Lupus and Respiratory issues. Called "Mimi" by her friends and family, Mrs. Goodner was a joyful and spirited person who filled many roles over the course of her life: as a devoted wife , daughter, chef, administrator, and a devoted servant of her church. Her most cherished role, however, was as a nurturing and open-hearted mother, grandmother, and great grandmother.Born March 10, 1934 in Lee's Station to Glenn Russell Poff and Bonnie Hixson, her family moved to Chattanooga during the Great Depression to find work. There, she met her soulmate, Herbert Eugene "Gene" Goodner, at Ridgedale Baptist Church and married Aug. 3, 1952. Mimi devoted her youth and energy to her church, her children's schools, and the community at large. At Ridgedale, she was a children's teacher, choir member, and an energetic leader in the Women on Missions organization for more than 20 years. At East Brainerd Elementary she became PTA President in 1964 and aggressively initiated the first traffic light at the corner of East Brainerd Road and Joiner Road. In 1969, Mary took her first paid job, using her life-long culinary skills as a chef at the YMCA. Later, she would become the Admissions Counselor at UTC for more than 12 years.Survivors are her husband of 61 years, Gene Goodner; children, Deborah Goodner (Steve) Rudd (Steve), Chattanooga, Michael (Theresa) Goodner, Knoxville, and Randy (Brook) Goodner, Chattanooga; Five grandchildren: Christy (David) Harrell, Jeremy (Molly) Deitch, Melanie Rudd, Nathan (Kati) Goodner, and Jeff (Christine) Goodner; Five treasured great-grandchildren, Megan and Peyton Harrell, Landon, Colton and Jackson Deitch; Two sisters, Judy McAlister, Alabama and Marlene Simpkins, Florida; and several nieces and nephews. Mimi also has close cousins in Crossville, Tenn. The family would like to offer special gratitude and love to her faithful caregivers, Emily Gillespie and Sherry Nimits. The family also appreciates the tireless and loving care provided by the nurses in the Intermediate Care Unit at Memorial Hospital.The family requests that any donations be made to Ridgedale Baptist Church or the Lupus Foundation, which funds research into the causes and cures of Lupus, as yet both unknown.Funeral services will be held Monday Sept. 2, at 11 a.m. in the funeral home chapel with Dr. Bill Owens and Dr. Doug Plumlee officiating. Burial will follow at Hamilton Memorial Gardens.Visit www.heritagefh.com to share words of comfort and view the memorial tribute.The family will receive friends Sunday from 4-8 p.m. at Heritage Funeral Home, 7454 E. Brainerd Road.