Mom. Mammaw. Rennie. Flof. Our Rock. The toughest ray of sunshine we have ever known. If you didn’t know her you missed out on an inspirational human being. FLORENCE “RENNIE” MAY GOODWIN
was born in England on February 19, 1936 to Elizabeth and John Bentley. She was the second oldest of five children and led an extraordinary life. Our little British mom was a spitfire, who always radiated positivity wherever she went. She lived through World War II as a child, joined the Women’s Royal Army Corp as a teen (yes, she lied about her age to serve her country earlier). She was so beautiful, our dad and another soldier got into a fistfight over her the moment they saw her on the British base, each claiming they were going to marry her. Although our dad won, she walked away from both of “those American brutes!” We’re thankful our dad didn’t give up and searched until he found her the next day. Soon they married, and over the next 18 years, she became the mother of six adoring children, raising us each to be our own person. Throughout the years since, she became a “super duper” Mammaw to thirteen grandchildren and multiple great-grandchildren. She was so proud of her huge family and rarely missed a game, recital, or birthday. As long as it was on her “social calendar”, she was there. Rennie was a proud American citizen, sewing guru, military secretary extraordinaire, caregiver, water skier, traveler, camping and fishing enthusiast, bowler, and a lover of all things cats, angels, hummingbirds, and daffodils.
On Thursday, October 19, 2023, Rennie shed her earthly pain and made a graceful exit, surrounded by the love she had nurtured all her life. She has now joined our father, Sherman “Pete” Goodwin, Jr., after almost 19 years of being apart. Left to celebrate her life are her children, Vicky Dillon (Okey), Donna Shea, Suzanne Miller, Gary Goodwin, Kevin Goodwin (Daphne), Terina Atkins (Brian); a host of grandchildren and great-grandchildren, her brother, Peter Bentley in England; and extended family and friends, including her amazing British Wives Club ladies.
Our hearts are broken, but she is healed. We love you muchly, Mom. You’re an angel, you know that? You will always be our sunshine.
We welcome all friends and family to come share food & memories at her Celebration of Life on Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023 from 5-7 p.m. at Griffin Leggett Rest Hills in North Little Rock. She will be laid to rest 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023 at the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery in North Little Rock.