Mr. Richard “Buddy” Goodson

It is with sorrow that the management and staff of Mitchell-Josey Funeral Home, Inc. and members of the Goodson family share the transition of Mr. Richard “Buddy” Goodson of Darlington. Mr. Goodson passed on Thursday morning, February 10, 2022 in Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center. 

A Celebration of Life is 2:00pm on Tuesday, February 15, 2022 in Faith Memorial Gardens. Interment will follow. Please adhere to mask wearing and social distancing for this service. 

Life’s Reflection 

Mr. Richard Goodson known to many as “Buddy” was born in Darlington, South Carolina on June 2, 1949, a son of the late James and Alice Lide Goodson. After the passing of his mother, Richard was reared by Mrs. Emma Black Goodson.  On Thursday, February 10, 2022 at 6:35 am, God called Richard to rest at Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center following a brief illness. 

He attended the Public Schools of Darlington County and left school to help on the farm to assist in taking care of his family.

Richard was employed at an early age by the Gear Plant. Followed by employment at General Electric, Pallet Plant, and retiring as a car detailer from Clanton-Manheim. 

He was a former member of Cherry Grove Missionary Baptist Church and later became a faithful member of Hartville Bible Baptist Church. He served as the President of the Usher Board. 

“Buddy” enjoyed laughing and joking with everyone he met. He loved a clean car, house, and yard! He enjoyed watching sports especially baseball in which he used to play. His favorite NFL team was the New York Giants - - Go GIANTS!!

He was married to the former Betty L. Goodson. 

On June 3, 1983, Richard united in holy matrimony to the love of his life, Essie McPhail Goodson and as a result they blended their families. Richard has a total of 10 children and 2 “special” daughters. 

Those left to cherish the memory of Mr. Richard “Buddy” Goodson are: his wife of 38 years, Essie M. Goodson of the home; his children: Edith Smith, Kadibria(Bobby) Maske, Wendy Brown, Tywan Goodson, Barbara Robinson, Jeffrey (LaShonda) Brown, Sandy Green, Angela (Terry) Gilbert, Loretta Brown, Rick (Justine) Goodson; “special daughters like his own”, Mary (Earnest) Simmons and Delores Jackson; his siblings: Reverend Barbara Jean Pickard, Charles (Georgia) Goodson, Robert (Marlene) Goodson, Mae Alice (Marcus) Hudson, and Betty “Pat” Goodson; sisters-in-law: Judy Goodson and Brenda Goodson; 30 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren, and a great-great-grandchild; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends who will miss him. 

Richard Goodson was preceded in death by his parents, his siblings: James Goodson, Johnny Goodson, and Freddie Goodson, and a son-in-law, Kurt Robinson.

Visitation will be held at the residence of a sister, Ms. Betty “Pat” Goodson, 2127 Leavenworth Road, Darlington from 2:00pm to 8:00pm daily. Please wear a mask. 

Please keep relatives and friends of Mr. Richard Goodson in your thoughts and prayers. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mr. Richard “Buddy” Goodson, please visit our floral store.