Rhoda Bess Goodson, 66, a resident of Holly Hill, Florida, died peacefully on September 16, 2017, surrounded by her family and her close friends. She was predeceased by her parents, Joe Watts Goodson, Sr., and Rhoda Bess Reddy Goodson, and her brother-in-law, John Garrett. She is survived by her siblings, Barbara Ann Garrett, Charles Thomas Goodson (Del), and Joe Watts Goodson, Jr. (Carleen); her nephews Tim Garrett, Jason, Jacob and Joshua (Catie) Goodson; her nieces Anna Stringer (Bryan) and Claire Hill (Andrew) and her 14 great nephews and nieces. Rhoda was born in Selma, Alabama on September 28, 1950. A graduate of Our Lady of Fatima High School in Lafayette, Louisiana, Rhoda later attended the University of Louisiana Lafayette, from which she graduated in 1972, and she was extremely proud of her Louisiana upbringing. She moved to Daytona Beach in 1975. After working as a teacher and insurance adjuster, Rhoda decided to pursue the practice of law. She studied law at Florida State University, where she earned her law degree with honors and became an avid Florida State Seminole fan. She was admitted to the Florida Bar and the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida in 1985. Rhoda practiced domestic and family law for many years as a valued member of the Daytona Beach community, where she touched many lives and was known for her steely and tenacious yet compassionate advocacy on behalf of her clients and friends, as well as those less fortunate. Rhoda was widely known for working to find compromise in very stressful situations and attempting to preserve civility and fairness in family matters, which many consider to be an art. Rhoda's primary concern was establishing and maintaining a sense of dignity, both for the process and for individuals and their children. Rhoda established herself as a force to be reckoned with in Daytona Beach in private practice for many years before joining Cobb Cole as a partner in 2000. She was a beloved member of the firm, who added much to the culture and family environment there. She worked with the firm for twelve years and retired in 2012 as Retired Counsel to the firm. A proponent of pro bono legal work since the very start of her career, Rhoda was known for providing free legal assistance to those who needed help from an attorney but could not afford to pay for legal fees. Her most notable achievement was chairing a Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida "Justice for All" campaign that raised $300,000 - the most ever raised at that time - toward a goal of $1 million for advocacy for the less fortunate in our community. Justice for All funds were used by Community Legal Services to assist the elderly, disabled, homeless, domestic violence victims, and poor and indigent families. At that time, Rhoda was referred to as "the philanthropy engine in this community," according to Community Legal Services' spokesman in 2009, Mr. Larry Glinzman. Rhoda was named a ""Trendsetter of Pro Bono Work"" in that same year, and in a Florida Trend article, she stated: ""I've been very blessed to have a comfortable life and a successful career. It's important you give back to the community and make it a better place."" Such was the hallmark of Rhoda's many years of legal work and service to her community. Among the countless organizations for which she served, Rhoda guided the Chamber, Daytona Beach/Halifax Area, the Pace Center for Girls, the Junior League of Volusia County (Past President), the Children's Advocacy Center (at that time called I-Care), the Daytona Beach Rotary, (through which she was named a Paul Harris Fellow, the highest Rotary honor, and served as President of the Rotary Club), the Ormond Memorial Art Museum and Gardens, the Volusia County Bar Association and the Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center Foundation Board. Many remember her as being an active, calm, and reassuring voice for non-profits who needed the benefit of her support and legal acumen. Her friends recall her always steady presence, her wit, her sense of humor and her ability to persevere through tough situations. Rhoda's passing has received an outpouring of concern and sadness, as many friends and family feel a significant loss. She was an independent, courageous woman who fought cancer for the past several years with incredible optimism and personal strength. The words used to describe her by her friends and family are many, and include: leader, community servant, bold, funny, witty, calm, collected, purposeful, resourceful, loyal, generous, humble and exceptionally kind. Many recall her love for the FSU Seminoles, fine wine, good food, traveling with good friends (particularly to places like Central America, Europe and the Florida Keys which has been called 'her favorite place on Earth') and Louisiana cuisine. Rhoda fulfilled a long-time desire to go to Spain and Portugal this past spring, and even though she was not well, she did not let that stop her from enjoying her trip. She loved her two cats, Thelma and Louise, who gave her companionship and comfort, and one of her favorite activities was shelling on the beach. Most of all, her friends want people to remember that she loved life and lived it to the fullest. Rhoda's family wishes to thank her 'Daytona' family of Caryl Heebner and her daughter Kendall Heaton, Kendall's husband Trevor, and their son Connor, and the many other Daytona Beach friends who ""adopted"" Rhoda through the years and made her part of their family as well. We will never forget your love and support for Rhoda. There will be a service at Lohman Funeral Home in Ormond Beach, beginning at 1:30 pm on Friday, September 29th (for greetings) with the Remembrance of Life service starting at 2:00 pm. Arrangements are under the direction of the Lohman Funeral Home, Ormond Beach, Florida, 733 W. Granada Blvd., 386-673-1100. In lieu of flowers, donations to Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center Foundation (for the NICU facility and the Women's and Pediatric Centers) and PACE Center for Girls are requested, as Rhoda was very passionate about both organizations.

Arrangements entrusted to Lohman Funeral Home Ormond. Condolences and memories are welcome to be shared via this online guestbook.