WYOMING - Betty Lou Gooden, 82, of Wyoming, died Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012, in the comfort of her home. Born in Milford, she was the eldest child of the late James and Helen Hopkins. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her grandparents, Howard and Sarah Hopkins; and an aunt, Sarah Pauline Hopkins, who raised her on the family farm in Burrsville, Del. She is also preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Daniel "Dick" Gooden; and a daughter, Joy Gooden Sparks. Mrs. Gooden was a graduate of Harrington High School, class of 1947. She also attended Goldey-Beacom College, where she earned a two-year degree. She worked in the office at Carroll's Sale Company for twenty years, and served as the Kent County Deputy Clerk of the Peace until her retirement in 2000. She enjoyed reading, solving word puzzles, gardening, going to the beach, and bird watching. She was an exceptional cook, and was famous for her soft-shelled crabs and her lemon meringue pie. Mrs. Gooden also served as an Assistant Superintendent in the Needlework Department at the Delaware State Fair. She was an active member of the Willow Run Ruritanettes, the Frazier Friends, and the Kent County 4-H Links. She also served as a Kent County 4-H leader for 30 years. Her greatest joy was her family, and she took great pride in watching her children and grandchildren compete in various 4-H contests over the years. She valued education, and she was exceptionally proud of the fact that all of her granddaughters were college graduates. She enjoyed holiday gatherings with her family, and her August birthday served as an annual crab feast with her children and grandchildren. Mrs. Gooden is survived by her loving children, a daughter and her husband, Dana and Rick Sharpe of Wyoming; a son and daughter-in-law, Alex and Barbara Gooden of Wyoming; a son, Richard Gooden and Faye Pleasanton of Wyoming; and a son-in-law, Donald Sparks of Newark. She is also survived by her six granddaughters, who adored their "Mom-mom." Her grandchildren are Sherry Kijowski and her husband Michael of Wyoming, Jessica Flaherty and her husband Ryan of Wyoming, Heather Coverdale and her husband Ben of Wyoming, Elizabeth Donahue and her husband Joseph of Woburn, Mass., Lindsay Hughes and her husband James of Lincoln, and Kelly Gooden and her husband Brian Schepens of South Carolina. Mom-mom Gooden is also survived by her great-grandchildren, Seth and Aidan Flaherty of Wyoming, Teagan Donahue of Woburn, Mass., and Hunter, Hailey, Kaitlyn, and Austin Coverdale of Wyoming. She is also survived by two nephews, William Will and his wife Brenda of Wyoming, and Robert Will and his wife Pat in Sanford, N.C.; a brother, James Hopkins of Frederica; and a sister, Ann Woikoski and her husband Paul of Felton. Mrs. Gooden also has an extended family of nieces, nephews, and close friends. Visitation will be 7 to 9 p.m., Monday, Feb. 6, at the Pippin Funeral Home, 119 W. Camden-Wyoming Ave., Wyoming. Graveside service will be 11 a.m., Tuesday, Feb. 7, at Odd Fellows Cemetery, Camden. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Betty Lou Gooden's memory may be made to the Joy G. Sparks Memorial Fund, Delaware 4-H Foundation, 113 Townsend Hall, 531 S. College Ave., Newark, DE 19716-2170.