R.W. Goodman

Raymond W. Goodman, 91, of 306 N. Randolph Street, Rockingham died Thursday, April 5, 2007 at his home. He was born August 23, 1915 in Richmond Co., a son of the late Maggie Wallace Goodman and John Lawrence Goodman. Mr. Goodman was a member of First Baptist Church in Rockingham. He began his business career in the Morse Store in Rockingham, which a short time later became the Morse- Goodman Store, and then in 1944, became the R. W. Goodman Co. He was elected Sheriff of Richmond County in 1950 and served continuously until 1994, which has made him the longest serving Sheriff in North Carolina. In 1973, He chaired the Richmond Memorial Hospital Expansion Drive which raised a million dollars. Mr. Goodman founded the Richmond Yarns Co. in 1976. He was appointed to the North Carolina Economic Development Board by Gov. James Hunt in 1977. In 1983, Mr. Goodman was recognized with the naming of the Pee Dee Bridge on Hwy 74. He was recognized by Wingate College with the Goodman Campus Service Center in 1986. He was the first president of the Rockingham Lions Club and a past president of the Rockingham Merchants Association, was active with the Richmond County Chamber of Commerce and the Boy Scouts. Mr. Goodman was a veteran with service in the U. S. Navy. Funeral services will be conducted 2:00 pm Saturday, April 7th at First Baptist Church in Rockingham with Rev. Dr. T. David Phillips and Rev. Frank McQuage officiating. Entombment will follow in Richmond Memorial Park. His wife, Alice Smith Goodman, preceded him in death in October, 2001. Surviving are his children, Raymond W. Goodman, Jr. and wife Lilo of Raleigh, John W. Goodman and wife Lynn of Richmond, VA, Kenneth L. Goodman and wife Cindy of Rockingham and Janice G. Coen and husband Gene of Ellerbe; six grandchildren, Jason G. Coen of Rockingham, Kenneth L. Goodman, Jr. and wife Laura of Pinehurst, Kristy G. McChesney and husband Michael of Atlanta, Raymond W. Goodman, III of Raleigh, Annie M. Goodman of Knightdale, and Lindsey C. Goodman of Fairfax, VA; four great grandchildren, Catherine Deborah Goodman and Matthew Kenneth Goodman, both of Pinehurst and Ally and Maddie McChesney, both of Atlanta; four brothers, Jerry Goodman and Bill Goodman, both of Rockingham, Bruce Goodman of Wadesboro, and Malcolm Goodman of Raleigh; and two sisters, Doris G. Simmons of Lillington and Audrey G. Carter of Graham. He was preceded in death by granddaughter, Genie Alice Coen, five brothers, Eli Goodman, Bobby Goodman, Otis Goodman, Odell Goodman, and Jimmy Goodman, and a daughter in law, Debi Goodman. The family will receive friends Friday evening from 5 to 8 pm at First Baptist Church in Rockingham. Memorials may be made to Roberdel Children’s Center, 124 Roberdel School Rd., Rockingham, NC 28379 or First Baptist Church, 201 N. Randolph St., Rockingham, NC 28379.