EDNA SURVANT GOETTEE

1916-2020

Edna Survant Goettee passed away peacefully in her sleep, with the love of her family, in the early morning of Saturday, the 23rd of May 2020. She was 103 years of age.

She was born on the 6th of September 1916, to Lena & Clarence Survant of Waller, Texas, along with her twin brother, Edgar Ray. She had two other brothers, Robert & Richard, and a sister, Alpha Lee Sapp.

Edna held a B.S. from University of Texas and a M.S. from University of Houston. She served Houston ISD for 39 years, first as a first grade teacher and then as principal at J.P. Henderson Elementary School.

Edna and Dr. James Henry Goettee were married in

1933, and shared 53 wonderful years together until he passed in 1986.

She was a beacon of excellence to all that knew her. Above all else, Edna was guided by her faith in God, but this only begins to tell the story of this truly amazing woman. If you were with Edna, you were the most important person in her life; you left feeling special and very loved.

She had a positive outlook on everything, a great zest for life, a sharp mind, a quick wit, and was possibly the #1 Houston Rocket’s fan (and maybe the oldest). She had an encyclopedic knowledge of NBA team standings, the names of players and coaches, and statistics. She kept a statistic log for every Rockets game until a year ago.

For her 99th birthday, she and her family attended a Rockets game where she was presented with a jersey emblazoned with “99” and “Mama,” a name shared by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She sat courtside and visited with Calvin Murphy for 20 minutes before the game.

She had followed him since his days playing college ball. After the game, while waiting to meet the players, she immediately made friends with James Harden’s mother, who invited her to join her for any upcoming games.

Her grandchildren looked forward to their regular Friday lunches at her favorite restaurants, where Edna was always impeccably dressed and perfectly styled. She may have been most famous for her love of red lipstick. A necessity until the day she passed.

Her achievements and accolades are too numerous to list, but they include serving on the Houston Association of Retired Teachers, Texas Retired Teachers Association, was a past President of Houston Council of Education, held several positions on Houston Association of School Administrators, Houston Congress of Teachers, was a Life Member of Texas Congress of Parents and Teachers, a Life Member of National Congress of Parents and Teachers, a past President of Alpha Delta Kappa, The National Honorary Teachers Sorority, and served on the Association of Childhood Education.

She was a member of The Daughters of the Nile, Tabeel Temple #88, President of PEO Chapter AF, President of The Past Matrons and

Past Patrons Association of Houston and President of Melrose Assembly #204 Social Order. She is listed in the Who’s Who of American Women who served in the South and Southwest, and listed in The National Social Directory. Remaining very active in Eastern Star, she was a member of the Andral Vann Chapter #741, and a dual member of Houston Ransford Chapter #135.

Initiated into The Bethlehem Chapter #728 in 1942, with the exception of only three (3) years, she held an appointed office in the Grand

Chapter of Texas - every year since 1961 in positions such as Deputy Grand Matron, District Deputy Grandmaster, Grand Esther, Grand Chaplain and Grand Representative to the Eastern Star Association of the State of Texas.

A life-long member of the Second Baptist Church, Edna assisted in many ways to support the work of her church. Her profound faith in God, her pastor Dr. Ed Young, the Second Baptist Members, many members of the Eastern Star and her love of family all contributed to a truly fulfilled life.

Many attributed her tenure and success to her wonderful mental attitude dictated by her faith, love, serenity, courage and positive enthusiasm to God and his powerful grace - we have been blessed with her many years of service - only God knows how many, many lives she has touched.

Edna Goettee is survived by her daughter in-law, Catherine Belle Goettee; grandchildren, James Lee Goettee, Jr., Catherine Goettee Echols, George Givens Goettee and Anne Goettee Skidmore; her great-grandchildren, twins James Price Goettee and

John Henry Goettee, Stuart Cape Echols, Heather Lee Goettee, Madeline Parks Skidmore and Alexander Owens Skidmore; as well as grandchildren-in-law, Marilyn Huggins Goettee, Caro Emerson Goettee and

Christopher Alexander Skidmore; Edna was preceded by her son James Lee Goettee who passed in 2009.

The family will gather for a private interment at Forest Park Westheimer in Houston.

A memorial service is to be conducted at three o’clock in the afternoon, on her birthday, Sunday, the 6th of September, in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.

Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the adjacent grand foyer.

In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions in Edna Goettee’s name may be directed to the charity of one’s choice.

Please visit Mrs. Goettee’s online memorial tribute at GeoHLewis.com where memories and words of comfort and condolence may be shared electronically with her family.

“Faithful and kind in all her ways,

Upright and just to the end of her days,

Sincere and true to heart and mind,

What a beautiful memory she leaves behind.”