Doris James ‘Faye’ Goodner born April 27, 1938 in Marble City, Oklahoma to Tom and Rhoda James went home to the Lord on April 9, 2020. She was one of six children. She was called Faye her whole life because her grandmother named her Doris and her father didn’t like the name. They came from Oklahoma when she was ten years old in an old Chevy –- two parents, 6 kids and a dog.

They lived near the river in Bridgeville in a blanket house when they first came to Humboldt County. Her father eventually found property at the end of Mill Street in Fortuna and built the family home, which is where Faye was living when she passed.

Faye went to Fortuna schools and graduated from Fortuna High. She worked for the County of Humboldt until she married Roy Goodner in February 1957. At that time, she was planning to go to Rome, Italy, for a year, to work. These plans were changed when she found that she was pregnant with her first child, Deborah who was born in November 1957. Her son, Daniel, arrived in May 1959 and her final child, Michael. was born in January 1967.

Faye and Roy did some traveling around the United States. Family was very important to Faye and most of their travels were spent going to family reunions in places such as Oklahoma, New Mexico, Wyoming, Colorado, Montana, Texas and Nevada. As much as Faye loved to travel and did so quite a bit, Rome was one place she never did get to go.

With her love of family came Faye’s love for genealogy. She spent many years researching her family’s history and with the help of her daughter she was recently able to find her sixth great grandfather.

Faye began volunteering at Rohnerville School District when her son Michael started school. Eventually, she became an employee working as a classroom aide. She held this position until her retirement in 2001.

Faye was preceded in death by her parents, four siblings, husband Roy and son Michael. She is survived by her sister Bonnie, brother George, daughter Deborah Goodner, son Daniel (Jennifer), and daughter-in-law Mara Goodner. She is also survived by her grandchildren Ryan Goodner-Belli, Lindsey Stone (Cory), Scott Goodner (Bailey), Brandy Goodner and Garrett Goodner. She is also survived by her great-grandson, Rustin Goodner.

Per Faye’s wishes a private graveside service will be held when allowed.

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