Mary E. Goetz

A funeral service for Mary Goetz will be held November 14, 2023, at 11:30 a.m. at the Robert Barham Family Funeral Home with Brother Calvin Price of Oak Hills Baptist Church officiating the service. A burial will follow at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Newton, MS at 1:00 p.m. Robert Barham Family Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with arrangements.

Mary Edith Hales Goetz, age 80, of Meridian, Mississippi, died the 7th day of November 2023.

Mary was born in Terry Mississippi and grew up around that area surrounded by a sister, her two brothers, and lots of cousins that she loved to tell stories about. Her favorite was when her cousin Bobby brought home his Air Force buddy, Dietmar Goetz, for a blind date. She went home that night and told her mother she had met the man she was going to marry - and soon they did, moving to New York and then to Connecticut. Mary finally stated it was too cold up North and she wanted to go home, so they moved to Meridian, Mississippi where they lived up until 2020 when they moved to Gautier to be closer to their daughter in their final years.

Mary was a very proud member of Oakland Heights Baptist Church which became Oak Hill Baptist Church. She especially loved her Sunday School Class and all its members. She read her bible every morning for years and prayed for anyone that she thought needed a prayer. She had a strong faith in God that never wavered.

Mary and her husband absolutely loved square dancing and traveled anywhere for an opportunity to dance. She made many sacrifices for her family and always put everyone else's needs before her own. She was a "Mom" to many of our friends when they needed one. She had such a generous heart and loved to cook for people. What we know about love is true - it really does make the world go round and it really does begin at home. She always gave with all her heart. Michael and I have nothing but gratitude for all her guidance through the years, her sacrifice, helping hand, and support and belief in us. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend.

She is survived by her children, Tammy McAdams (Mike) and Michael Goetz (Donna Baxley), and her grandson she adored, David Michael Goetz, and many loved nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Dietmar Goetz, her parents, Eva and James Hales, her sister Margie Ross, and brothers, Alvin Hales and Billy Hales.

Our family would like to thank all of the staff and the amazing caregivers at The Lighthouse in Ocean Springs who have taken such great care of our mother. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you please make a donation to your local humane society.

Visitation will be from 10:30 to 11:30 on November 14, 2023, prior to the service at the funeral home.