Thama Goddard

(From Wilson-Griffin Funeral Home)

Thama Louise Stevens Goddard was born on March 5, 1938 in Jasper, MO. She is the fifth-born child of eight to her parents Thamer Stevens and Eva Maude (Davies) Stevens. 

When she was young she sang with her family on a radio show where her father would also bring a sermon. Thama loved to sing. Singing was a big part of family gatherings. She was active in school being nominated for Sr. Queen Candidate also being instrumental in bringing a Majorette program to her High School in Pittsburg, KS. She enjoyed being in her school orchestra where she played the violin. 

At the ages of 14-18 she worked at the Crowe’s Drug Store where she made sodas. She then went to work at the Bess Hotel as a waitress. She made it into her local newspaper; while others were making Snow men, she made a very detailed snow woman in an evening gown. She was a talented seamstress and could make a garment look like anything you would find in a store, but it would have her love and time sewn into every piece. 

She loved flowers and always had a beautiful yard and porch full of them. She could make anything grow! Thama also traveled with her family. Some of her favorite trips were to Niagra Falls, Alaska and the Redwoods. Thama had great faith in her Lord Jesus from an early age. She was a member of Hopewell Baptist Church, Everton, MO, where she served Him for over 40 years.

Thama, is survived by her Son, (Steven)Chris Goddard, of the home and a daughter Tarese Diane (Goddard)Loveland and husband Larry of Morrisville, MO.; siblings, Della (Stevens)Rezen and Danny Stevens and wife Linda. She was also affectionately known as “Nanny” by her granddaughters: Amber (Loveland) Keys and Husband Duane, of Springfield, MO., Kelli(Loveland) Welsh and husband Mark , of Bella Vista, AR and Leta (Loveland)Jones and husband Stephen, of Morrisville, MO. Her great-grand children: Chandler Williams, Kaitlyn Keys, Eli Sadler, Stevie Verdugo, Pepper Verdugo, Juniper Welsh, Forrest Jones, Ginger Jones and Phoebe Jones. She was looking forward to a 10th great grandchild that is coming in December.

Thama was preceded in death by her parents and siblings: Doyle Stevens, Margie Smith, Vera Page, Myrlene Jarmin and LaVeda Beebe.

Services will be held Saturday August 3rd at:

Hopewell Baptist Church,

21711 Lawrence 2000, Everton, MO 65646

Visitation is at 11am with the service to follow at 12. Burial will be at a later time at Nashville, MO Cemetery