Ms. Dorothy Mae Pickens Goodwill

Dorothy Mae Pickens Goodwill was the second of four children born to Adolph and Susie Pickens in Opelousas, Louisiana, on March 5, 1922. Dorothy and her older sister, Essa, were the only two children to survive and reach adulthood. She thrived as a child even after losing sight in her right eye. Her talents became obvious as she grew into an artistic and intelligent young woman. Dorothy graduated from Holy Ghost Catholic High School with honors in 1941. At an early age, Dorothy knew her career path would be in education, and that passion would lead her to pursue a college degree. Upon receiving a one-year scholarship, she attended Dillard University in 1942 and then transferred to Grambling State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education. While attending Grambling State University, she taught elementary school for St. Landry Parish School District. Dorothy was devoted to furthering her education and station in life. Even though she encountered many challenges, she continued to achieve advanced degrees in education. Dorothy received her Master of Education degree from Prairie View University in Texas and was selected to be a member of the first group of black students to attend Louisiana State University’s graduate program in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. This was an exciting opportunity for her to be chosen, in that, there was a statewide search for blacks to be accepted into this program. She completed thirty units in education at Louisiana State University, and this experience helped to improve her position with St. Landry Parish School District. Dorothy’s first husband was Willie Scott Magee, whom she married in 1946 at the age of twenty-four. As a result of this union, she gave birth to a son whom they named Joseph Arnold Magee. Unfortunately, the child died after nine days of life and was loved and missed by his family. She married her second husband, Nelson J. Goodwill, in 1962. They were both teachers, the marriage ended in divorce, and both of her prior husbands are now deceased. Dorothy demonstrated a devotion to teaching elementary education through her extracurricular activities, which included organizing special events for her students and encouraging them to reach their potential. She constantly endeavored to improve herself through her participation in academic associations, community organizations, and other professional institutions. Her life was filled with a commitment to improving the conditions and situations of others in the community. Upon retiring in 1979 from her thirty-five years of employment with the St. Landry Parish School District, Dorothy focused her time and energy on assisting others. For twenty-five years, she tutored students after school to help them improve and achieve scholastically. She dedicated herself to the spiritual development of children in her church community by teaching First Communion classes for the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) program. This was important to her because she was baptized and confirmed into the Catholic faith at Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Opelousas, Louisiana. Also, Dorothy contributed her efforts towards fundraising and educational activities for seniors, as a member of the Commission of The Elderly in her town. Dorothy moved to San Diego, California, in 2014 to live with her niece, Tiamoyo Sukumu. She spent her last twelve years attending family get-togethers, participating in a senior day program that she loved at the Poway Day and Health Care Center, and enjoying her time with new friends. Dorothy passed on to glory on April 12, 2026, and leaves several family members to carry on her legacy: nieces, Drucille Houghton, Suzette Simmons, and Tiamoyo Sukumu (Husband-Calvin Coleman) of California; great nieces and nephews, Ramisi Sukumu, Teule Sukumu, Derrick Houghton, Michael Houghton, Sumaku Goldston (wife-Yum), Nicholas Goldston, Alandra Simmons, all residing in California, and Desiree Key of Oklahoma, as well as her great-great nieces, Melissa Golston and Audre Golston of California. There are hosts of relatives and friends back home in Louisiana and elsewhere who mourn her leaving and will cherish her memories here on earth. She was preceded in death by both of her parents, sister, Essa Key; one brother-in-law, Warren Key of California; nieces, Darnetta Key of Oklahoma and Melissa Golston of California; and nephew, Warren Key Jr. of California. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Opelousas, Louisiana. Visitation will be held from 7:00 AM to 9:30 AM on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at Williams Funeral Home, prior to the funeral service. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Rev. Manie Manuel, S.V.D. Interment will follow in St. Landry Catholic Church Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to share words of comfort, support and memories with the family by visiting the online guestbook at www.williamsfuneralhomes.net Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Williams Funeral Home of Opelousas, 337-942-2037.

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Ms. Dorothy Mae Pickens Goodwill

March 5, 1922 - April 12, 2026