Bobby Joe Goode

Bobby Joe Goode, a devoted man of faith, family, and steadfast purpose, passed peacefully on June 13, 2026, just two weeks shy of his 90th birthday.

Born on June 27, 1936, in Hawkinsville, Georgia, Bobby Joe was the cherished son of Needham Jelks Goode and Velma Mashburn Goode. From an early age, he embodied determination and discipline—balancing his time as a student-athlete at Hawkinsville High School, where he competed in basketball, football, and baseball, with responsibilities at the family-owned drug store.

Baptized in his youth, Bobby Joe cultivated a deep and abiding faith in God that would guide him throughout his life. His commitment to service extended beyond the church when he enlisted in the United States Navy following high school, proudly serving as a Hospital Corpsman.

After completing his military service, Bobby Joe pursued higher education with the same determination that marked every chapter of his life. He graduated from Brewton Parker Junior College and went on to earn his degree from Georgia Southern University in 1963.

On October 23, 1960, he married the love of his life, Peggy Walker, beginning a partnership that would span decades and serve as the foundation of a close-knit and loving family. Together, they raised three children, and Bobby Joe devoted himself wholeheartedly to being a provider, protector, and guiding presence in their lives.

Bobby Joe built a distinguished 32-year career with Burroughs Wellcome & Co, where his drive, integrity, and unwavering work ethic earned him success in pharmaceutical sales and sales management. He took great pride in providing a stable and fulfilling life for his family.

Known for his strong will and firm convictions, Bobby Joe approached life with resolve and clarity of purpose. Yet beneath that strength was a deeply compassionate man, whose tender heart, kindness and generosity were felt by family, friends, and even strangers in need. His love for his family was boundless, and he remained a constant source of encouragement, never-ending love and support through every season of life and in every challenging circumstance.

In 2003, Bobby Joe and Peggy returned to their middle Georgia roots, settling in Vidalia, where they enjoyed a vibrant circle of friends and an active life within the First Baptist Church of Vidalia. His faith remained central to his daily life, and in his later years, he quietly found joy in simple acts of service, rising early each Sunday morning to prepare coffee for his fellow congregants before Sunday school, a reflection of his servant’s heart.

Bobby Joe’s legacy lives on through his loving family. He is survived by his sister, Joy Hobby, his daughter Jane Goode Morgan; his son Joel Walker Goode and daughter-in-law Stephanie, and the extended family he treasured deeply. He was preceded in death by his wife, Peggy; parents, Needham Jelks Goode and Velma Mashburn Goode, his brother, Needham “Neede” Goode, his beloved daughter, Nancy Goode Schoendienst; his son-in-law, Harry Morgan; and his granddaughter, Jennifer Schoendienst.

He was a proud and devoted grandfather to Kendall Schoendienst, Kimberly Morgan (and wife Tricia), Mitchell Morgan, Forrest Morgan (and wife Alison), Jake Goode, and Luke Goode, and found great joy in his role as great-grandfather to Gretta Morgan and Walker Morgan.

Bobby Joe Goode will be remembered as a man of unwavering faith, quiet generosity, and enduring love. His life was a testament to devotion—to God, to his country, and most of all, to his family. His example will continue to inspire all who knew him, and his presence will be deeply missed.

The funeral service will be held on Wednesday, June 17th, 2026, at 10:00 in the chapel of Ronald V. Hall Funeral Home with Reverend Don Moye officiating. Interment will follow at Mt. Vernon Memorial Cemetery.

Ronald V. Hall Funeral Home of Vidalia is in charge of arrangements.

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