Skip to content

October 26, 1949 – March 2, 2023

Brigadier General (US Army Retired) Joseph Allen Goode, Jr. (better known as “Bubba” by family and friends), 73, was born October 26, 1949, to Joseph Goode, Sr., and Geneva Jones Goode, in Petersburg, Virginia. Joseph made his earthly transition Thursday, March 2, 2023. He graduated from Petersburg High School in 1968. He attended Virginia State College ( University), graduating Cum Laude with a BS in Accounting/Business Administration. He is a graduate of the U.S. Army War College and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Maryland Association of Certified Public Accountants.

BG (USA Ret) Goode was preceded in death by his son, baby Goode; parents; sisters, Muriel Vivian Arrington and Joyce Arlene Goudy; and brothers, William Newton Goode and Marcial Antonio Wilson Goode, Sr.

He accepted the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and was baptized by the late Rev. Dr. John L. Wright. Prior to joining the Army National Guard, BG (USA Ret) Goode served in the active Army, assigned to the Divisional Artillery (DIVARTY) Aviation Section, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, NC. He deployed to the Republic of Vietnam in August 1971, serving as Operations Officer, 108th Artillery Group Aviation Section in Phu Bai. In November 1971, he was assigned as a Section Leader in the 62nd Aviation Company in Da Nang. BG (USA Ret) Goode joined the Virginia Army National Guard in July 1973, where he served for 16 years. He transferred to the Maryland Army National Guard in December 1989, where he served until his retirement in September 2002.During this time, he commanded Company D, 224th Aviation Battalion in Sandston, VA, the 29th Aviation Brigade in Edgewood, MD and served as the Assistant Division Commander (Support), 29th Infantry Division. BG (USA Ret) Goode retired after more than 33 years combined enlisted and commissioned officer military service.

Joseph Goode was also employed by Brown & Williamson Tobacco in Petersburg, VA prior to accepting a position with Westinghouse Electric and moving his family to Columbia, MD. Joseph would continue his work as a Financial Manager following Northup Grumman Corporation’s acquisition of Westinghouse until retiring in 2010. Some of his military decorations include the Legion of Merit with two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, Meritorious Service Medal, and Air Medal. He holds the Army Master Aviator Badge.

He leaves behind to cherish his memory his wife of 52 years, the former Arnita Watts of Ellicott City, MD; sons, Joseph III (Laurie) and Jerroyd (Nikki); daughter, Javonda McCathorine (Matthew); grandchildren Joseph IV, Rasely, Sophia and Olivia Goode, Layla and Mesai McCathorine; great grandchildren Evelyn, Joseph V, and Oliver; sisters Sandra Fleming and Jeanette Watts; brothers and sister-in-law Franklin, Joseph (Vivian), Garnell (Sydelle) Watts and Kima Watts-Tatum (Rob); a devoted double niece, Wynee Watts-Mitchell and numerous “special” nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.

Public viewing will be held from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M., Thursday, March 9, 2023, at Howell Funeral Home, 10220 Guilford Rd, Jessup, MD. Services will be held 12:00 Noon, Friday March 10, 2023, 12:00 P.M. at First Baptist Church of Guilford, 7504 Oakland Mills Rd, Columbia, MD and the interment will be held 11:00 A.M., Monday, March 13, 2023 at City Point National Cemetery, Hopewell, VA. Services may be viewed live  at https://vimeo.com/event/3105009/cca6fa2bf8.

Obituary courtsey of J. M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, VA, (804) 732-8911, jmwilkersonsince1874.com.