Father Herbert "Ray" Goodman

FATHER RAY GOODMAN Tupelo - Herbert Raymond (Ray) Goodman died May 21, 2014 in Tupelo. He was born in El Paso, Texas, October 31, 1932, the son of Herbert Hatton Goodman and Hattie Mae Crosby Goodman. They moved to Summerland, Mississippi, his mother's hometown, when he was five years old. In 1943 they moved to Laurel, Mississippi where he graduated from George S. Gardiner High School in 1950. After one year at Jones Co. Jr. College, he was called to active duty with the U.S. Navy Reserve as an aerial photographer during the Korean conflict. Upon discharge, he enrolled in Tulane University of New Orleans for one semester, transferring to the University of Mississippi and graduating in 1957 with a B. A. in English. While at Ole Miss, he met and married Shirley Ann Lumpkin, his wife of 56 years. At Ole Miss, he was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha Social Fraternity, Phi Sigma Tau, National Honorary Fraternity in Philosophy and the ASB Dance Committee. He entered Virginia Episcopal Theological Seminary in 1957, graduating with a M.Div. in 1960. He was ordained Deacon that year and Priest the following year. He served the Episcopal Church in many capacities, including as Curate at the Church of the Ascension, Lafayette, Louisiana and Chaplain to Episcopal students at the University of Southwestern Louisiana from 1960 to 1961, Priest-in-Charge of St. David's, Rayville; Redeemer, Oak Ridge; and St. Columba's, Winnsboro from 1961 to 1965. He served as Rector of St. Paul's, Jesup, Georgia from 1966 to 1969, and as Rector of All Saints', Tupelo, Mississippi from 1969 to 1974, when he resigned and entered the Ole Miss School of Law. Graduating with a J. D. Degree in 1976, he practiced law in Tupelo, Mississippi until 1994, with the firm of Carr and Goodman. He re-entered the parish ministry in 1994 when he became Interim Rector of St. James, Greenville, Mississippi until 1995. He served as Interim Rector of St. Paul's, Meridian, Mississippi from 1995 until 1996 and as Interim Rector of St. John's, Ocean Springs, Mississippi until 1999. He then supplied on a regular basis for churches in Corinth, Aberdeen and Okolona, Mississippi until failing health forced his retirement in 2008. Goodman was chosen for inclusion in Who's Who in American Law in 1993 and 2012, and Who's Who in America for 2012. Goodman was a member of Mensa, a certified SCUBA diver, a licensed private pilot, an amateur paleoanthropologist, and an avid cook. He was predeceased by his parents, an infant daughter, Anne Goodman, and a son, Paul Lumpkin Goodman, a 1991 Honors Graduate of the Ole Miss School of Law. Goodman is survived by his beloved wife, his daughter-in-law, Tish Goodman, and his granddaughter, Abbey McCullough Goodman. Visitation will be Tuesday, May 27 from 2:30pm to 3:45pm at All Saints' Episcopal Church. The Requiem Eucharist will follow on Tuesday, May 27 at 4:00pm. Memorials in lieu of flowers may be given to All Saints' Episcopal Church for the Saints' Brew program and the building fund. Expressions of sympathy may be left at www.peguesfuneralhome.com .