Dr. Stephen C. Goodwin of Jackson died peacefully at home on December 31, 2023, after a lengthy illness. He was 73 years old.
Steve was born on July 12, 1950, in Little Rock, Arkansas. The oldest of three children, he grew up in Los Angeles, California. Throughout his life, whenever asked, Steve always responded that he wanted to be a doctor. To that end, he worked both as a paramedic and a Physician’s Assistant but never lost focus on his dream of becoming a medical doctor.
His life greatly improved when he met his future wife, Sandy Herron. They married on October 4th, 1980. In 1981 his dream to become a physician became a reality when he was accepted at the Universidad Tecnologica de Santiago, in the Dominican Republic. Upon graduating, Steve completed his Internal Medicine Residency at Case Western Reserve Affiliated Meridia Huron Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio. During that time, he became a Senior Clinical Instructor and Chief Resident.
In 1988 Steve and Sandy moved to Milan, Tennessee where he began his practice in Internal Medicine. In 1992, Steve relocated his practice to Jackson. He was an active staff member at Jackson Madison County General Hospital where he served on numerous committees.
He loved Jackson and all his patients. He was known for spending “as much time as needed” with all his patients, generally causing “havoc” to his schedule. When a patient had to spend time in the hospital, it was Dr. Steve who saw them on his “hospital rounds” and he always tried to answer both the patient’s questions and the questions of their families. For all this, he was known for his compassion and empathy towards his patients and their families.
He was also a “celebrity”, well known for his weekly television Program, “House Calls with Dr. Steve”, where people could call in for advice. He was also regular guest on WNWS News-Talk radio. He loved food and many considered him a gourmet, who loved cooking and eating. He loved to read, garden, and do most outdoor activities to include hiking with his wonderful wife, Sandy. He was a devoted member of the North Jackson Church of Christ.
Steve was preceded in death by his parents, Chester Goodwin and Jean Burns Goodwin, and his in-laws Cleo Herron and Mildred Herron, and nephew David Shoptaw. He is survived by his wife Sandy Goodwin, his brother-in-law David Herron, his brother David Goodwin, sister Lisa Shoptaw and husband Bob, niece Carol Anne Braswell and husband Matthew, numerous cousins, nieces and nephews, and his goddaughter Kimberly Atkins Rush.
Before his death, because of their commitment to this community and their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, he, and Sandy made the decision to create the Dr. Steve and Sandy Goodwin Charitable Fund, a division of West Tennessee Healthcare Foundation, the Community Foundation of West Tennessee.
Upon the death of he and his wife, their assets will pour over into this Fund to be used for charitable purposes within the Jackson community for decades to come. Therefore, in lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to the Fund to carry on this commitment.
A special thanks to all the staff at Tennessee Quality Care Hospice and Home Instead who cared for Steve. And to his very good friend Darrell Hicks, your love and friendship never wavered and neither did the gumbo, pork chops and fried pies.
SERVICES: A visitation for Steve will be held Thursday, January 11, 2024, at Arrington Funeral Home from 4:00pm to 6:00pm and same is open to all of his medical colleagues, church members, employees, patients, and friends. Our friend in Christ will be greatly missed.
The family request in lieu of flowers that memorial contributions be directed to Dr. Steve and Sandy Goodwin Foundation, Charitable Fund of the Community Foundation of West Tennessee, 74 Directors Row, Jackson, TN 38305 www.cfwtn.org
Arrington Funeral Directors 148 W. University Parkway, Jackson, TN 38305 731.668.1111 www.arringronfunealdirectors.com
