Thelma Gooden

Mrs. Thelma Keitt Gooden, a devout Christian, mother, grand-
mother, great-grandmother and successful entrepreneur, entered into

eternal rest on October 4, 2019 at the Regional Medical Center of
Orangeburg, South Carolina.
She was born on September 4, 1922, in Santee, SC, to the late Preston

and Daisy Keitt. She was educated in the public schools of Orange-
burg, SC, with further educational studies at Morris College and

Claflin University.
At an early age she joined Providence Baptist Church in Santee, SC,
and later became a member of the New Mount Zion Baptist Church in
Orangeburg, SC, where she was a member of the Choir, the Busy Bee
Club and the Senior Usher Board. In 1987 and 1999, she received the
Senior Usher Board’s “Mother of the Year Award.”
A successful beautician, her entrepreneurial endeavors began as early
as her childhood, where she practiced at her mother’s kitchen table,
styling the hair of siblings and friends. As her interest in hair styling
grew, she enrolled in the Julia Breeland School of Cosmetology
and apprenticed under the direction of Mrs. Sarah Parler and Mrs. R.
Colter. After graduating and receiving her cosmetology license, Mrs.
Gooden established and maintained quite a successful business

for more than 40 years. She was a member of the Orangeburg Cos-
metique Club and the South Carolina State Cosmetologist Associa-
tion. At the 67th South Carolina State Cosmetologist Association

Convention she was the featured honoree. She served her church, her
family and her community while answering the call God assigned to
her hands.
Mrs. Gooden was preceded in death by her son: Herman Bernard
Gooden (Orangeburg, SC); brothers: Thomas Preston Keitt (Santee,
SC), Theophelious Keitt (Santee, SC), John T. Hilliard (Santee, SC);
sisters: Katy K. Mack (Holly Hill, SC), Ruby K. Williams (Boston,
MA) and Marthella K. Crawford (Boston, MA). Left to cherish her

memory are four children, twelve grandchildren, eleven great-
grandchildren and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins and good

friends.

The services will proceed as follows:

The viewing will be held on Thursday, October 10. 2019 at Glover's Funeral Home at 2:00pm until 8:00pm.

The funeral service will be held on Friday, October 11, 2019 at New Mt. Zion Baptist Church located at 1739 Amelia Street in Orangeburg, South Carolina 29115 beginning at 11:00am.

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