Ruth Evelyn Douglas Goodeill

Ruth Evelyn Goodeill, a faithful servant and friend of God, died peacefully in her sleep on July 16, 2020, in Hayward, California from natural causes. She was 91.

Ruth Evelyn was born October 12, 1928, in Oakland, California, to Leslie and Ruth Douglas. She was the oldest of five children. At a young age, with her grandmother and siblings, she rode the cable car to Epworth Methodist Church in Berkeley and as a teenager attended Castlemont High School in Oakland. As a child she enjoyed visiting her grandparents in Galt, California, where she tried to milk a cow and enjoyed long walks listening to her grandmother recite poetry. She had many jobs as a young adult, including cutting and packing beef jerky at Giant Distributing Company, and sorting and packing cookies at Sunshine Biscuits Company. The latter is where she met Vicki Cross and Dolores Raines, her lifelong friends for over 60 and 70 years, respectively.

October 24, 1946, Ruth married Elmer LeRoy Goodeill in Reno, Nevada. They lived in Oakland until 1952, when they moved to Hayward to care for Ruth’s father-in-law. That house on Santa Clara Street would become the home where they raised their four children, two foster children, and provided temporary housing for friends and relatives over the years. Elmer finally passed away in 2006 while Ruth continued to live on Santa Clara Street until her own passing.

In 1956 Ruth began a routine of working summers at Del Monte Cannery in San Leandro.  Then in 1974 she worked for Hunt’s Cannery in Hayward, then for Del Monte in Emeryville and San Jose until 1995, when the one-way commute to Modesto would exceed 70 miles. In addition, she worked 10 seasonal years at See’s Candies factory in South San Francisco.

The work she enjoyed most was the labor of love she bestowed upon the First Church of God in Oakland. For over fifty years she was a vital component to the workings of the church. Ruth sang in the choir, taught Sunday School, served as Sunday School Superintendent, Trustee Member, took part in various Mission Groups, Prayer Groups and coordinated Rummage Sale events, which helped support Church of God Missions. Throughout the years she received certificates and awards for achievements too numerous to mention. She was there whenever the doors were open and always one of the last ones to leave. Her dedication to family and church was in direct correlation to her love for Jesus and appreciation for His amazing grace.

Ruth enjoyed collecting postcards, reading the Bible and Christian literature along with listening and watching on TV, Christian preachers and music. She spent a lot of her time researching and gathering data and stories for her genealogy projects. She regularly sent Birthday cards to all her family (over 100) along with holiday, get-well and thank-you cards whenever appropriate. In later years she liked to attend the monthly ladies luncheons at the Neighborhood Church with her friend Delores Raines, enjoyed the fellowship of Trinity Christian Church, took pleasure in her weekly visits with her niece Mae and enjoyed watching Hallmark movies and Gaither Gospel Hour on TV. Ruth belonged to Ohlone Chapter of D.A.R. (Daughters of the American Revolution)

Ruth is survived by her 4 children, 2 foster children and their spouses: Larry Goodeill & Carolyn Van Houten of Westminster, California, Mark & Phyllis Goodeill of Gasquet, California, Loretta & John Malson of Medford, Oregon, Elmer Jr. & Tammy Goodeill, of Centralia, Washington, Michael and Brenda Fleming of Pleasanton, California and Carla Fleming of Antioch, California. Ruth is also survived by 17 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild. Her surviving 3 brothers and spouse, Leslie Douglas of Cypress, California, Bill & Gayle Douglas of Fountain Valley, California, and Ray Douglas of Hayward, California. A host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins and friends will also miss her.

Predeceased by husband, Elmer LeRoy Goodeill Sr. November 28, 2006 in Hayward, California, father Leslie Douglas October 26, 1970, mother Ruth Douglas, January 16, 1991, both in Hayward, California, sister Bonnie Aldridge, May 24, 1996, in Blanchard, Oklahoma, sisters-in-law Maureen Douglas, November 24, 2003 in Hayward, California, Jeffrey Douglas, January 04, 2014, Mary Douglas (Tiny) July 22, 2017, and daughter-in-law Pat Goodeill May 31, 2012.

We will remember Ruth as a loving, caring mother, grand, great & great-great grandmother putting the needs of others before her own. Her personal relationship with Jesus, which she openly displayed in the service to her Lord, will remain forever seared in the hearts and minds of those who witnessed her steadfast devotion and relentless conviction to God and her faith. She was a giver, a doer and a humble woman who could laugh at herself and be at ease in her own skin. She always agreed she was a young person in a mature body. All who knew her will miss this 91 year, young woman.

In lieu of flowers, the family of Ruth Evelyn Goodeill requests donations be sent to Trinity Christian Fellowship, Ruth’s loving and supporting church for over 20 years. The C-19 virus scare has affected all our lives in many ways. The economic distress has taken its toll on businesses and churches alike. Ruth would be thrilled if her church could continue to maintain their well-known high standard of giving and service to community extending worldwide.  Please honor Ruth by donating online at www.trinitycv.org or mail a donation to:  

Ruth Goodeill Memorial Fund Trinity Christian Fellowship

 20307 Marshall St. Castro Valley, CA 94546

Thank You so much for your generous contributions and support.