Tributes

Olan Rhodes Goodnight, 92, of Mooresville, passed away on Tuesday, May 19, 2015 at Sherrills Ford Hospice House. He was born on November 20, 1922 in Lincoln County, to the late James L. Goodnight and Mary Rhyne Goodnight. Mr. Goodnight was a veteran serving in the US Navy, where he served in the Pacific and Atlantic Ocean. He retired as Vice President and General Manager of PYA/Monarch in Charlotte. Mr. Goodnight attended Appalachian State University and was still involved. He was former president of NC Restaurant Association and a member of the Lion’s Club. Mr. Goodnight was a major founder of the Culinary Arts Show. He was a member of Williamson’s Chapel United Methodist Church in Mooresville. His customers, employees, associates and friends will remember him as an honest, fair and caring person who placed their interest above his own. Olan enjoyed traveling and vacationing with family, he had visited all fifty states and several foreign countries. He also enjoyed golfing and playing bridge but most of all his greatest love was being with family and friends. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by sisters, Unice Berry, Essie White, Ruth Goodnight; and brothers, Howard, Joe, JC, and Neil Goodnight. Mr. Goodnight is survived by his wife, Eleene Osborne Goodnight; children, Deborah "Debbie" Nuckles and husband, Jerry of Wytheville, VA, Olan "Sonny" Goodnight, Jr. and wife, Patti of Mooresville, James "Tommy" Goodnight and wife, Pam of Lincolnton; and grandchildren, Brian Thomas, Catherine Stewart and husband, Mark, Elizabeth Goodnight, Sam Goodnight, Allison Goodnight, Abbie Goodnight; great grandson, Mason Stewart; and numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, May 23 at Williamson’s Chapel United Methodist Church with Rev. Jan Brittain and Rev. Mark Pitts officiating. Burial will follow the service in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends following the committal service in the church fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Williamson’s Chapel UMC Building Fund, 575 Brawley School Rd, Mooresville, NC 28117 and/or Sherrill Ford Hospice House, 7473 Sherrills Ford Rd, Sherrills Ford, NC 28673.

Tributes

Olan Rhodes Goodnight

November 20, 1922 - May 19, 2015