Perla Goody was born in Johnstown, Pennsylvania on December 18, 1944, to Guadalupe and Maria Theresa (Sierra Escalon) Martinez. She grew up in Johnstown and graduated from Franklin High School in 1963. She moved to Washington, D.C. to work for the Department of Defense where she met and fell in love with her husband, Sam Goody. They married on May 28, 1965, and began their life together in Columbus, Ohio. Her passion for art led her to attend classes at Columbus Academy of Art & Design in Columbus, Ohio, and she received a Master of Art degree from ICS Art Academy. Perla was a talented and diverse artist who loved and created all forms of art. She especially loved teaching kids where she started an after-school outreach program for youth while providing English as Second Language to those who needed it.
At her passing, Perla was a retired Methodist Pastor. She spent 60 years of her life involved in the Methodist Church community participating in numerous charitable groups, United Methodist Women, Global Ministries, Emmaus Ministries, Outreach, the Crusaders Sunday School member, and KAIROS Christian Ministry. Perla also served as a bilingual Methodist Pastor, a Hospice Chaplain and as a Chaplain for the Incarcerated. With her husband Sam, they spearheaded Iglesia de San Mateo church as an extension of the Pauls Valley First United Methodist Church. She also received her Local Pastor license from Southern Methodist University and St. Paul's School of Theology. She loved all her ministry work, community and friends as shown throughout her life.

Perla is predeceased by husband Sam Goody, brothers Fred, David, Rodger, Albert, Ernest, Arthur, Wilbert, Rudy, & Roberto and by sisters Gloria, Amelia, Maryanna, Florence, & Emma, and her parents Guadalupe & Maria Theresa Martinez.

Perla is survived by her only child, daughter Kimberlee & son-in-law Char Hawkins, three grandchildren, Shannon, Cody & Sharon Hawkins, three great grandchildren, more than two dozen treasured nieces & nephews, and the loving community of Pauls Valley.

Memorials may be given to Wooster Funeral Home.

The family of Perla Goody wish to extend our sincere thanks to all her friends and the community of Pauls Valley; as well as, to Mercy Hospital of Ardmore, Ok, especially Drs. Obi & Sabangan, and the angelic nurses in ICU.

She will be dearly missed.