Mr. Garland Lane Goodwin Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Garland Lane Goodwin was born July 21, 1945 in Columbus, Mississippi to the proud parents of Ophelia and Ned Goodwin and died peacefully July 11, 2016 at his home in St. Louis. He was the younger of two children. His parents, and his sister, Annie Ruth Hill, preceded him in death. Garland moved to St. Louis, Missouri as a young child. He and his family joined Bostick Temple COGIC under the leadership of Daniel Bostick. It was here that he confessed hope in Christ at an early age. A product of the St. Louis Public Schools, Garland graduated from Blewett Elementary and Vashon High Schools. He lettered in Football, Baseball, and Basketball in high school. Because he was a star athlete, his talents allowed for him to receive a full Football Scholarship to Alcorn State University in Lorman, Mississippi. In May 1967 he received a BS in Social Science & History. In August 1967, Garland married his High School Sweetheart, Janice Spain. To this union two children were born, Baby G and Lauren Anita. They remained married for almost 34 years until Janice’s death in 2001. In 1968, Garland was drafted into the United States Army. During this time he fought in the Vietnam War and was honorably discharged in 1970 with a Specialist 5 rank. After his return to civilian life, Garland began his career with the St. Louis Public Schools. His education journey began with teaching at Blewett Middle. From there, his journey continued at the high school level where he taught Social Studies, History, and Law. Garland felt he could make a bigger difference in the lives of children by assuming an Assistant Principal/Principal role so in 1985 he received a MS in Education Leadership from Northeast Missouri State University in Kirksville, MO. Garland left his unforgettable imprint at Vashon High School, O’Fallon Technical High School, Beaumont High School, Sumner High School, and Clyde Miller Career Academy. After almost 40 years of shaping the minds of Inner-City youth, Garland retired in 2005. While Garland was teaching he also continued his passion of playing Baseball. For ten years, he played with the semi-professional team, Mathews-Dickey Knights. Garland was a left-handed hitting first baseman who helped the Knights win the 1973 State Semi-pro tournament by hitting two homeruns. Because of his outstanding playing during his tenure with the Knights, Garland was inducted into the Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame in 1996. Garland possessed many attributes. He had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to make others laugh. He loved music, particularly jazz (traditional and contemporary), and Motown. He collected albums and CDs from different genres and had accumulated an eclectic library. Garland also loved playing Golf and could often be found on various courses several times a week. He was also a 25 year member of the Royal Vagabonds Social Club. To cherish his memory and celebrate his life, Garland leaves “his twins” daughter, Lauren Goodwin and granddaughter, RyLeigh Tennin; nieces, Debra Jollar and Jeri Moore; nephew Michael Hill Jr.; uncle, Clyde Kapadia; first cousins, Mary (James) Campbell, Vernon (Holly) Dotson, Bishop (Winnie) Dotson III, Althea Durham, Charles (Barbara) Fletcher, Jacqueline Fletcher, Marcia (Roland) Harrell, Shirley (Jimmy) Mayes, Joe Raybon Jr., David Seligmiller, Rita Smith, and Tammy (Warren) Wright; sweetheart, Shirley Powell; and a host of other relatives, friends, and students.

Mr. Garland Lane Goodwin

July 21, 1945 - July 11, 2016