Patricia Lee Gooden

Patricia Lee (Franklin) Gooden was born October 15, 1934, in Hutchinson, Kansas, to John H. and Ruby May (McQueen) Franklin. She quietly and peacefully went to be with Jesus on Wednesday, August 28, 2024. She would have been 90 years old on her next birthday. 

Known as Pat or Patricia, she was an excellent student and was the first in her family to attend college, attending Bethany Nazarene College (now Southern Nazarene University) in Bethany, Oklahoma. It was there that she met Billie Gooden from Wichita, Kansas, who declared the first time he saw her, "I'm going to marry that girl." They were married June 26, 1955, while both were still in college. Patricia graduated in 4 years with an education degree and a minor in religion. Along the way, they welcomed 2 sons, Mark Allen Gooden and Kent Nelson Gooden.

Bill became a pastor and they began ministry in the Church of the Nazarene. Patricia was a school teacher in every place they pastored; Russell, KS, Minneapolis, KS, Wray, CO, Thornton, CO, and Lamar, CO. Eventually, they found their way to the Denver area, living in Littleton, and finding a church home at Faith Nazarene Church (now Bear Valley Fellowship). Patricia continued teaching and retired after 28 years in elementary classrooms.

Patricia had many hobbies and interests throughout her life. From the time she was very young she started collecting pictures and memorabilia in scrapbooks. As of July, 2024, she had completed fifty-eight 12x12 scrapbook albums of family, friends, and travels.

Her other primary hobby was geneology where she learned to use the computer and the internet to research at least 8 major branches of hers, and Bill's, ancestors. Some of the thousands of records she collected go all the way back to the 900's or earlier.

She also enjoyed stamp and coin collecting, and collected many pieces of crystal. She enjoyed sewing, making many of her own clothes, including her wedding dress and flower girl's dress. She was an avid reader; starting in 1972 she recorded between 3 and 4 thousand titles with dates of reading.

She also enjoyed jigsaw puzzles, sudoku puzzles, and solitaire games on the computer.

Patricia is survived by her two sons, Mark Gooden (Nancy) of Lincoln, NE, and Kent Gooden (Julieanne) of Roanoke, TX, five grandchildren, Bethany (Gooden) Johnson (Trent), Spencer Gooden, Emily Gooden, Melody Gooden, and Billy Gooden, and 3 great-grandchildren, Levi, Piper, and Grady Johnson. She is also survived by a brother, Lloyd Franklin of Haven, Kansas, and several nieces and nephews. 

Funeral services will be held at 2:30 pm on Monday, September 2, 2024, at Bear Valley Fellowship (Church of the Nazarene) at 2606 S. Sheridan Blvd, Denver, CO 80227. Visitation will be open at the church one hour before the service. Flowers and memorials can be sent to the church. Interment will be held at Ft. Logan National Cemetary on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, at 2:00 pm. Public is welcome.

Please share memories and condolences with Patricia's family by signing the guestbook.