- Date Of Birth: April 21, 1928
- Date Of Death: August 7, 2022
- State: Florida
Norma June Nelms Goodson, age 94, went home to be with her Heavenly Father on August 7, 2022 following a brief illness.
Born in 1928, she was the daughter of Sandy and Alma Nelms of Louisville, KY. Norma was proud of her Kentucky heritage and always maintained her sweet Southern charm. She graduated from Shawnee High School and attended Georgetown University Bible College.
In 1952, Norma moved to Lakeland to become a career woman. She loved to tell stories about her arrival in Lakeland when there was only a population of about 18,000 residents. Due to her extraordinary office skills, Norma was soon hired as a secretary and worked for several noted law professionals in the area to include Attorneys Spessard Holland and Roy Searles. It was during this time she met the love of her life, Herbert Goodson Sr., a law enforcement officer with the Constable’s office (later to become the Polk County Sheriff’s Office). They soon married and raised two children.
Norma continued to work outside the home with most of her career as a Judicial Secretary for the Honorable Judge T. Frank Hobson of the Second District Court of Appeal and the Honorable Judge Stephen Grimes Second District Court of Appeal and later appointed to the Florida Supreme Court.
Norma is preceded in death by her husband of 42 years, Herbert S. Goodson Sr. and son Herbert ‘Shannon’ Goodson Jr. She is survived by her daughter June Poxon (Vincent), Granddaughter Casey Chandler, several nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to thank the home health care givers who provided patience and care with kindness that allowed mom to stay in her home. Jane, Amanda, Debbie and Elizabeth we are forever thankful.
The family also wishes to thank Good Shepherd Hospice for surrounding us with kindness, compassion and professional care during this difficult time.
