Vondel Smith Mortuary at South Lakes

Funeral Service: 2:00 PM on Thursday June 8, 2017
Location:Southern Hills Baptist Church chapel

Rowena Hazel Gooding-Richardson
October 3, 1931 ~ June 4, 2017

Rowena Gooding Richardson (Arnold) passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 4, 2017 into the presence of her Lord and Savior at the age of 85. Rowena was born on October 3, 1931 in Oklahoma City, to J.R. and Hazel Marie (Stockton) Arnold. In 1949, Rowena graduated from Capitol Hill High School. As a teenager, she began working in the business founded by her father, Arnold Insurance Agency. She worked alongside both of her parents and eventually became an agent and co-owner, remaining steadfast in the business for more than 55 years, until retirement in 2004.
Rowena had a kind and generous spirit along with a quick wit. She was always available to listen if you had something on your mind. Rowena was a woman of many outstanding talents including hostess, cook, seamstress, painter, quilter, as well as loving wife, mother and grandmother. She was the strong woman behind two wonderful husbands.
Her decision to follow Christ started at a young age, and she was a faithful and active member at Exchange Avenue Baptist Church for nearly 80 years. She served in numerous capacities: choir, nursery, kitchen, financial office, youth sponsor, and was instrumental in the typesetting & proofreading of several church cookbooks. She enjoyed her time with the special “Birthday Club” friends each month, and made countless memories with them over the past 60 years.
There was no greater joy for her than to see and enjoy her children and grandchildren, and to find ways to be a servant for them and others. She was a woman of her word, dependable and honest, yet humble and God fearing. She has left a wonderful legacy for those who have benefited from her example in this earthly life.
Many thanks to the loving friends and caregivers who ministered to her over the past several years, including the EABC Home Ministries, and the staff at the Heaven House.

Rowena was preceded in death by her:
Parents, James Roland “J.R.” and Hazel Arnold;
Husband of 54 years, Jack B. Gooding who passed away on February 21, 2005;
Second husband of 4 years, Alfard “Buck” Richardson, who passed away on December 9, 2011;

Rowena is survived by her family:
Son, Ron Gooding and his wife, Karen of Dallas, Texas;
Daughter, Jacklyn “Jacki” Hedrick and her husband, Wendell of Oklahoma City;
Daughter, Jana Curtis and her husband, John, of Oklahoma City;
7 Grandchildren: Wendi and Jay Hedrick, Charlotte Hagy (husband, Aric) and Caroline Gooding, Karli West (husband, Jordan) and Adam and Olivia Curtis;
1 Great-Grandchild: Madden West;
Sister, Dorothy Hunter and her husband, Glen of Oklahoma City
Brother-In-Law, Gene Gooding, of Gladstone, Missouri
and Buck’s children, Vickie Hunt and her husband Russell, and Teresa Burris and her husband Michael.

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