Rita Jo Goddard “Jody”, 64, of Valley Lee, MD passed away on July 17, 2017 in Washington, DC. Born on September 23, 1952 in Norton, VA she was the daughter of Ruby Lovetta Willis of DeLand, FL and the late Joe Donald Reece. Jody was the loving wife of Francis H. Goddard whom she married on June 28, 1969 in Holy Face Catholic Church Great Mills, MD. Jody is survived by her children: Robin Belden (Bob) of Valley Lee, MD, Traci Pulliam (Dragon) of Valley Lee, MD, Alison Goddard of Charlotte, NC and 4 Grandchildren. Siblings: Terry Reece, Steve Reece, Diana Belian, Richard Reece and Michelle Waliser. She is preceded in death by her brother Joseph (Dunie) Reece.
Jody graduated from Great Mills High School and was lifelong St. Mary’s County resident. Jody’s greatest joy in life was being a loving mother and Grammy.
The family will receive friends on Thursday, July 20, 2017 from 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM with prayers recited at 7 PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home Leonardtown, MD. A Funeral Service will be held on Friday, July 21, 2017 at 10:00 AM in the Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Ann Lumpkins officiating. Interment will follow in Holy Face Catholic Cemetery Great Mills, MD. Pallbearers will be: Dragon Pulliam, Bob Belden, Ronald MacQuarrie, Tony Goddard, Jr., James Goddard and Brandon Reece. Honorary Pallbearers will be: Molly Gagnon, Morgan Belden, Matthew Pulliam and Mason Pulliam.
