Montie Goodin

On Tuesday, November 23rd, Montie Goodin passed away, very peacefully, in her home surrounded by her family.

Services were held on Saturday, November 27, 2021 in the Claude United Methodist Church with Rev. Dick Gravley, officiating. Burial followed at Goodnight Cemetery.

Arrangements are under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Cleo Lemonte (Montie) Hubbard was born December 3rd, 1931, in Goodnight, in the original Goodnight House to Cleo and Retta Hubbard. Montie had three sisters, Mary Joyce, Lugenia (Jeannie) and Ann. Montie grew up in Goodnight and then attended Baylor University. On a visit home, she met Emery Goodin, on a blind date. When she graduated from Baylor, Montie flew to Alaska to marry Emery while he was serving in the Air Force on July 12, 1952. For five years, they lived in Alaska, giving them a lifetime of memories.

They returned to the Texas Panhandle to start a family. In 1964, they moved to Goodnight, with their daughters, Elizabeth and Susanna. Emery started farming and ranching and Montie taught several grades in the Claude School District. She obtained her M.S. in Library Science and was instrumental in major renovations of the Claude School libraries.

She and Emery were avid square dancers and she played the organ at the First United Methodist Church. They also enjoyed fishing, camping, and travelling. Montie played in several bridge clubs in Claude and Clarendon.

Throughout her teaching career she was an active member of the international honor society for educators, Delta Kappa Gamma, Zeta Zeta Chapter, serving as chapter president for a time. In 2021, she received her 50-year pin.

Upon her retirement in 1994, Montie became very involved in both the preservation of the original Goodnight buffalo herd and the Armstrong County Museum. During this time, she wrote two plays, “Charles Goodnight: a Soliloquy” and “My Molly” about the relationship between Charles Goodnight and his wife, Mary Ann.

Montie was serving as chair of the Armstrong County Museum when the organization began the renovation of the original Goodnight House and the building of the historical interpretive center. Her passion and enthusiasm were contagious bringing many people together and building lasting friendships. She was honored to receive numerous awards for her work in Texas historical preservation.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Emery. She is survived by her daughter Elizabeth Magar, son-in-law David Magar, daughter Susanna, granddaughter Kate Freeman and husband Bryon Freeman and granddaughter Sarah Kite, great-grandsons Robyn Kite, Mason Freeman, Ethan Freeman, and great-granddaughter Scarlett Leach.

The family request memorials be sent to the Armstrong County Museum.