Stephaine Goodwin

My name is Stephanie Goodwin, and I had the most welcoming personality and amazing soul. I was born on November
8, 1958, to the union of William Arthur and Barbara Goodwin (they both preceded me in death). I was born on the southside
of Chicago, a true native of the Robert Taylor Homes #5041.
I was the oldest of five children and wore that title well. Our mother raised us to always be a unit and reflect her beliefs; that
included integrity, respect, and a leadership mentality in every role. I loved school at an early age even though I was shy to
speak in front of the class. This determination would get me through my elementary days at John Farren, my high school
days at DuSable, and my college days at Malcolm X, extending that education for more credits at Harold Washington.
Summer – “The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”
My siblings and I accepted Christ at an early age because our mother and grandmother said so. We would go as a family
to church on Sundays and even the Kingdom Hall with our grandma. God would be the center of our lives because that
foundation was laid.
I chose to continue studying with the Jehovah’s Witnesses once I moved to the Westside, because my heart told me to. We
would have Bible study as a family and learn the Bible repeatedly. Even after I decided to stop studying, God led me through
many a crisis. I didn’t necessarily go consistently on Sundays, but I held God close always.
Autumn – “Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.”
There was never a person whose presence I graced that wasn’t positively affected by me. I could be standing in the grocery
line, clothing store line, gas station line; did not matter, a short conversation would be held. Because of this, my children’s
friends would call me “Mama Stephanie.” They had no choice but to because I spoke truthfully and always gave the best raw
advice they could ask or not ask for. My love for cooking hearty soul food and desserts spoiled my immediate family. They
wouldn’t eat most people’s cooking because they’d always say, “Steph cooked.” I loved to play some 80s R&B and sway my
hips while preparing food to nourish their hearts and souls.
Those customer service jobs I landed early on would create more people skills that were already a part of me. I worked at the
Goodwill and 16 Plus where I enjoyed my favorite pastime of shopping. Did I say I loved to shop? Oh, I did! I created some
smart shoppers too; friends and friends of friends would have their houses ready for a world quarantine and wouldn’t have
to leave for anything.
To my surprise, I found a career as a teacher with Chicago Commons, and my heart surpassed the love I never knew I
would obtain from a job. Here, I helped raise generations of children that would in return bring their children back to
the center and request me to be in their lives yet again. Some parents would even tell their children to behave or they’d
call, “Ms. Stephanie.” This brought me joy knowing that lasting impression was still there. Work relationships turned into
friendships and then to family. I would serve this career for 20 years before respectfully retiring.
Winter – “It is not the length of life but depth of life.”
Even though I was diagnosed with that well-known and can-be-cured disease in 2018, it did not slow me down. Of course, I
did not stop working or getting out of that house. I continued to shop, shop, shop, travel, work, help provide, and enjoy my
days with loved ones. Even when my health declined, I would scroll on my cell phone and answer emails, pay bills, create
grocery lists, and send my family on missions for cravings when they arise. God was in the midst!
I was one of a kind; a real diamond in the rough; a rose that grew from the concrete, and I will sincerely be missed. But, on
December 21, 2025, after telling my family repeatedly how much I loved them, God reached His hands out to me, and I took
my final breath to be home with my Father.
I leave my legacy in the hands of my loving husband of 48 years, Bobby Hill; two bonus daughters, Kechia (Dale) and Robbin
(Allen); one daughter, La’Quashia; two sons, Staffon (Shauntavia) and London; nine grandchildren, Dale, Dominick,
David, Tondalia, Teon, Tashad, Preston, London Jr., and Sanai; siblings, Belinda, Deidra, Ursula, Mitch, and Kenneth;
three siblings who preceded me in death, Vincent, Arthur, and Sabrina; favorite niece, Tomica, who also preceded me in
death; and of course, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles, other extended family members, and close friends.

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