Georgia Mae Goudy Etheredge

Georgia Mae Goudy Etheredge

Georgia Mae Goudy Etheredge was born on June 1, 1935 in Saluda, South Carolina.  She was the daughter of the late Viedell Norris Goudy and Larkin Boston Goudy.

At an early age she migrated with her parents to Brooklyn, New York and received her early education at Public School #9.  She received her spiritual education and was baptized at Holy Trinity Baptist Church.  At age thirteen, her cousin Bea got her a weekend job working for a lawyer named George Edelman babysitting his daughters and she remained lifelong friends with their youngest daughter Enid.

During her teen years, she attended Homemakers High School in Brooklyn where she developed a passion for the arts.  She studied the piano, loved the theater and classical music and sang in the Duryea Presbyterian church choir.  In addition to these activities, she was a co-founder of the Brooklyn Museum Ballet Troop with her childhood friend Nora Newby, Nora’s husband Mickey and the late actress Esther Rolle.  Upon graduating high school she studied ballet at the American Ballet Theater.  Medical concerns cut short her career, but she held on to her love of dance throughout her life.

Georgia briefly worked in a factory, but quickly grew dissatisfied, and entered a secretarial training program offered by New York State. Her first job out of the program was working for United Cerebral Palsy Foundation.  She also worked as a receptionist for Sidney Beckerman, a Hollywood producer.  During her time in his office, she met many celebrities such as Roddy McDowall, and a then up-and-coming director named Melvin Van Peebles.

At age 24, during one of the biggest snowstorms in New York City’s history on March 3, 1960, Georgia and James Robinson gave birth to their son Albert Michael Goudy.

Several years later when Albert was a young child, Georgia met and married Johnny Etheredge and they relocated to East Orange, New Jersey.  She worked for a number of years as a secretary in the psychiatric department of the New Jersey College of Medicine and Dentistry, until she was laid off.  After her divorce, Georgia retired in 1995 and returned to Brooklyn, but being fed up with the frigid New York winters, and on the advice of her friend Nora, she relocated to Las Vegas in July of 1998.

Georgia soon grew restless with retired life in Nevada and accepted a part time job with Catholic Charities. When that contract ended, she secured another part time job with the Southern Nevada Health District. Upon the closure of that office, she finally settled fully into retirement.

Georgia was an amazing cook. In 2011, her love of Italian cuisine finally brought her to Italy on a family vacation that she cherished for years to come. She also loved classic movies and television, most especially Star Trek, and attended one of the first ever fan conventions held in New York City.  A frequently colorful personality, Georgia had a wicked sense of humor and her sarcastic observations tickled everyone around her. It was not diminished even as her health began to decline.

Georgia entered into rest on Friday morning, March 25, 2022 at Valley Hospital in Las Vegas, Nevada.  She leaves to cherish her memory her beloved and devoted son, Albert Michael Goudy of Las Vegas, NV; her sister Joyce White of Brooklyn, NY; four nieces:  Renée Goudy of Laurel, MD, Robin (Marvin) Martin of Severn, MD, Maria Rosenberg of Hyattsville, MD, Jessica White of Brooklyn, NY; three great nephews and a great niece: Vincent Gomez, Christian Day-Gomez, Kevin Gomez-Johnson, and Angel Gomez who is affectionately known to her Aunt as “Little Bits”, and a host of cousins, extended family members, and friends. Her brother Albert Goudy and sister Bettie Gomez preceded her in death. 

Graveside Celebration of Her Life will be 11 a.m. Friday, April 1, 2022 at Young Mt. Zion Baptist Church Cemetery conducted by the pastor, Reverend Carl Chiles.  Final Viewing will be 10 until the hour of service. 

Viewing will be held at the funeral home 2-6 p.m. Thursday, March 31, 2022.

Mask or face covering will be observed during this time.

As this family go through their hour of bereavement, please pray for their comfort and peace.

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”   John 14:27

Butler and Sons Funeral Home is assisting the family.

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