Belinda Jo Goodwin

Belinda Jo Goodwin , 52, of Little Rock, passed away at home from natural causes on Saturday, November 13, 2010. She lived most of her childhood and adult life in the Landmark community of Little Rock. Born December 21, 1957, in Little Rock, to William Laurence and Wilma Sue Barger Goodwin, the younger of two daughters. Belinda, became Bendy shortly after birth as her older sister could not pronounce Belinda. Bendy and her sister, Darla Goodwin Hines, grew up in a close and loving family always surrounded by many pets and friends. Bendy attended Landmark Elementary, where she met her lifelong friends, Lisa Brown and Donna Taylor. After graduating from Mills High in 1976, she attended UALR where she received a degree in English. Bendy spent her life devoted to her family and friends. Always available to help and support through any problem or crisis. Her greatest passion was rescuing and caring for unwanted and abandoned cats. Later that passion would include two dogs that remained by her side. Through her work with the government evaluating 911 systems, she accomplished her goal of visiting every state in the United States. An avid reader since childhood, she was never without a book. She was interested in most everything which made her an excellent conversationalist and most importantly she knew how to listen. One of her greatest joys was being Aunt Bendy to her two nephews and niece. With her keen sense of humor she delighted in entertaining her nephews and niece when they were under her care. It was that sense of humor and her positive outlook that sustained her through all of life's difficulties. Belinda is preceded in death by her beloved father, who passed away on April 2, 2008 in Boca Raton, Florida. Belinda is survived by her mother, Wilma Sue Goodwin; a sister, Darla Goodwin Hines; two nephews, John William Hines and Pvt. David Hines Jr. and recent bride, Pauline; a niece, Olivia Suzanne Hines; and many beloved aunts, uncles, and cousins. Funeral services will be held Friday, November 19, 2010 at Landmark Missionary Baptist Church, 17201 Arch Street, Little Rock at 1 p.m. with burial following at Oakland Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday, November 18, at Griffin, Leggett Healey & Roth, 5800 W. 12th, Little Rock. Memorials may be made to The Humane Society of Pulaski County. To sign Ms. Goodwin's online guestbook, go to www.griffinleggetthealeyroth.com.