Racine – Charles E. Goodwin, 74, passed away at Manor Care in Kenosha on Wednesday, October 14, 2009 after suffering a stroke on August 15th.

The sixth of twenty-one children, Charles was born in Stonewall, Mississippi on September 16, 1935 to his loving parents, Dave and Alice Goodwin. After high school, he faithfully served our Country with the United States Army from1955 until his honorable discharge on October 17, 1957.

On March 13, 1982 Charles was united in marriage with his sweetheart, Betty Jean (nee: Jones) Goodwin. A welder by trade, Charles was employed by Walker, JI Case and Haban Mfg., from where he retired in 1997. Shortly after, Charles became a devoted and proud team member of Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home, last working on August 14th. Among his favorite pastimes, Charles enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, watching sports, and of course – socializing with family and friends. With a great love for people, Charles had a passion for talking about the "good old days" and could tell a story like no one else. He also had the unique gift of never forgetting a name or face.

Surviving are his wife, Betty; daughter, Shawn Judon; granddaughter, DeChell Coleman; great-grandson, Javen; step-son, Kerstal Wyatt, all of Racine; five sisters, Lucy Itson and Emma (Mose) Moss of Stonewall, MS; Jean (Euwauna) Boutwell, Shirley (Joseph) Oliver and Alma (Dannie) Johnson, all of Racine; four brothers, John (Shirley) Goodwin, Bennie Goodwin, Darnell Goodwin, all of Racine; and Rev. Jerry (Dolores) Goodwin of Greensboro, NC; mother-in-law, Ruby Jones of Enterprise, MS; God-brother, Johnny (Betty) Hopkins of Enterprise, MS; God-sister, Grace McMillian of Racine; brothers-in-law, Johnny Henry of Poplarville, MS; David Dumas of Stonewall, MS; and Charles (Louise) Jones of Racine; sisters-in-law, Rosemary Goodwin, Katie (Terry) Hardin, both of Racine; and Erlinder Jones of Enterprise, MS; and a host of treasured nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends too numerous to mention by name. Charles was preceded in death by his parents, five sisters, six brothers, one step-daughter; two step-sons and one great-grandson.

A Homegoing Celebration will be held on Thursday, October 22, 2009 at 11:00 am in St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church, 1123 Center St., with Rev. Daryn David Crenshaw officiating. Interment, with military honors, will follow in Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery – Union Grove. Visitation will be in the funeral home on Wednesday from 6-8 pm and in the church on Thursday from 10-11 am. In memory of Charles, offer a kind deed…..to someone in need.