ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Nellie Mae Goodson, 88, died peacefully with family at her side at Providence Hospital on June 29, 2025. 

A celebration of life service will be held 2 p.m. on July 7, 2025 at First Baptist Church Anchorage.

Nellie was born on August 28, 1936 in Lincoln County, N.C. to George and Connie Abernethy.  In June 1956 she and Charles Goodson were married.  While Charles served in the United States Air Force they lived in Oklahoma, Texas, Georgia and Florida.  In 1970 Charles was transferred to Elmendorf AFB in Anchorage, Alaska where they resided after Charles’ retirement from the US Air Force.

Nellie loved her family and enjoyed doing many things with them – especially her grandchildren.  She quit her administrative job with Kodiak Oilfield Haulers to babysit daily her grandsons and later her granddaughters.  She also enjoyed working in her flower beds at home and said you could never have too many flowers.

Nellie’s faith was strong and she loved the Lord.  A member of First Baptist Church of Anchorage for 55 years, she held many positions, such as Sunday school teacher, Sunday school children’s director, Vacation Bible School teacher and director, church treasurer and helped out anywhere she was needed.

She was a loving wife and beloved mother, grandmother (ma-maw), and great-grandmother (granny).  Nellie is survived by daughters Debbie (Dale) Miller and Charlene Cox; grandsons, Kyle (Steffanie) Miller and Christopher Miller; granddaughters, Haley (Dakota) Campbell and Madison Carey; and great-grandchildren, Crimzine, Alex, Hayden, Jaxson, and Quintyn Miller and Malachi Carey all of Anchorage, Alaska; and Gunnar Campbell of Ragland, Alabama.  Nellie was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Goodson; daughter, Dana Goodson; parents, George and Connie Abernethy; siblings, Carl James Abernethy, Luna Belle Howell, Gerald Herbert Abernethy, Connie Beatrice Hager, Audrey Lee Abernethy, Bobby King Abernethy, Ethel Josephine Abernathy, Ila Nadine Hildebrand, and Gerald Bain Abernethy.

At Nellie’s request, her ashes will be scattered at a later date by her family at Quartz Creek.  The family would like to sincerely thank all of the church family, friends, and relatives for their prayers, cards, and support during this time.  In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in her name to First Baptist Church Anchorage.

Donation: First Baptist Church Anchorage, 1100 W. 10th Avenue, Anchorage, AK  99501; www.firstbaptistanchorage.org