Mrs. Joyce Goodman

Born October 20th 1931 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Howard Cartwright, Sr. and Edna (Woodard) Cartwright. She died in Mt. Holly, New Jersey, on January 19th, 2019 ... she was 87. She would tell us a few days before; that the Angels would arrive to escort her Home ... and so they did.
Joyce Juanita was always a positive force of energy. Life came at her rather quickly; she became a single Mom at 17, had to leave Simon Gratz H.S., to start a full-time job at 18; and worked with her sisters and mother at several part-time jobs “to make ends meet”. It was her full-time job at Bayuk Cigar Company, and after a few years there ... she would meet her future husband (he finally managed to catch her eye). Later she worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), caring for patients at Haverford State Hospital, then at Philadelphia State Hospital at Byberry.
Always thinking of her family, she became a School Crossing Guard for the City of Philadelphia, so she could be more available to her children. She retired in 1988, and happily began to realize the fruits of her labor; by enjoying one of her favorite pastimes: Vacationing on a Cruise Ship. She always commented about the delicious food, and loved the fact that they served 8 meals every day! She and her husband also enjoyed being guests at The Captain’s Table.
Her home was a safe haven, open to anyone who needed her. Whether it was for holiday meals, or a place to stay until you got back on your feet. Whether she was Mah, Mom, Mommy, Aunt Juanita, Aunt Joyce, or Noni; her arms were always open.
She was a founding member of The Temple of Divine Love Church. Superintendent of the Sunday School, and a member of the Sanctuary Choir. She also served on The Senior Citizens Center, Vacation Bible School, The Soup Kitchen, was an Angel of Mercy, active on the Usher Board, Christ Circle #7, and, a member of the Nursing Unit. Her loving care could be felt in every card she sent to the sick and shut ins, and every phone call she made on Birthdays. She devoted most of her adult life serving as a Disciple for Jesus Christ.
We in the family, are here to carry on her legacy.
Joyce Juanita ‘Cartwright’ Goodman is survived by her husband Fred W. Goodman, her son Jeffrey Stephen (Lisa), and her daughters: Desinna Melanie, and Dána Racquel (Michael). Her grandchildren: Jason, Jeremy (Tiffany), Justin, Jillian, Ingrid, April, Angela (Tyler), Ashley, Jay, Christopher and Noah. Her great grandchildren: Jessica, Jackson, Ava, Ian, Delina, Lainey, and Sophie. And, her brother Vernol. She is predeceased by her siblings: Madeleine, Howard Jr., Delores, Robert, and Miriam.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Greater Philadelphia Coalition Against Hunger, in memory of Joyce Juanita Cartwright Goodman. www.hungercoalition.org Greater Phila. Coalition Against Hunger, 123 Chestnut St., Phila., PA 19106, 215-430-0555