Mary Goodson, born in Columbus, Ga, to Percy Paul Goodson and Bertha Patrick, was reared in Montgomery, Al. She, her father and her sister, Jewel, lived with relatives during the Great Depression and World War II.
Mary met her future husband, Marvin J. Hamm, in summer school and married him two years later ni 1947 after he joined the Navy. Becoming a military family in 1948, they reared 6 children as they crisscrossed the United States from one Naval Air Station to the next.
Mary is preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, Marvin (d. 1999) and by her sons, Marvin, Jr. (d. 2021) and Harold (d. 2015); each succumbing to Pancreatic Cancer. She is also preceded in death by her sister, Jewel Goodson Dawsey (d. 2019).
Mary is survived by her daughter-in-law Peggy R. Hamm, widow of Marvin J. Hamm, Jr., daughter Rosalyn Jenkins (Jon), daughter-in-law Kim D. Hamm, widow of Harold R. Hamm, daughter Sharon Sickles (Carroll), daughter Darleen Bercovich (widow of Ed, d. 2020) and son Paul H. Hamm (Sharon). She is also survived by her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and multiple nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Becoming a grandmother at the age of 46, she became MaryMom, not only to her grandchildren but to friends of the family. Her joy in life was found in spending as much time as possible with her grandchildren. As she did with her own children, she welcomed each grandchild with open arms. Her 9 grandchildren include: Louisa Hamm (Clary), Michael and Brandon Bercovich, Jonathan and Mary Hamm (Danelorich), Richard, Brian, and Raymond Sickles and Jonathan Jenkins. She is the step-grandmother of 8.
Mary became a great-grandmother at the age of 78. Her 15 great-grandchildren include: Zachary and Amelia Clary, Audrey and Samantha Bercovich, Emma and Luna Bercovich,
Alex Hamm and Silas Danelorich, Jay and MaKayla Sickles, Tyler and Chase Sickles, Jacob and Elliana Sickles, and Atticus Jenkins.
Mary was passionate about her faith, always standing as a witness of Jesus Christ. She was passionate about her family, putting their needs before her own. She was passionate about education, claiming each child's High School Diploma as her own! And, while raising a family, she earned her G.E.D., attended business college, became a real estate agent and, eventually, a broker.
Mary was fiercely independent striving to improve and to do as much for herself as she could. She fought the good fight and to the end was torn between reuniting with her loved ones who have gone before and staying with us. They won.
Her family and friends loved Mary. May her memory be a blessing.
Aspecial thank you is extended to Mandy, Patrick, Jessy, and Candi at Mountain Cove Assisted Living Facility and to Amedisys Hospice in Rainbow City.
The Memorial Service will be held on Monday December 9, 2024 at West Tennessee
State Veterans Cemetery in Memphis, Tennessee at 1:00 P.M. The Graveside Service wil be held on Tuesday December 10, 2024 at 9:45 A.M.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Amedisys Foundation.