Anne Goodwyn Vintes

Anne Brooks Goodwyn Vintes peacefully departed this life on September 30, 2020 in her home of 62 years.  Born in Hanover, MD on April 3, 1923, Anne was the youngest daughter of Frances Jackson Brooks and Maxie Asbury Brooks.  She had four older sisters and three younger brothers.

As an infant, her family moved to Glen Burnie on Crain Highway in the Furnace Branch Community.  She attended Furnace Branch Elementary School and later graduated from Bates High School, Annapolis, Maryland in 1940. Anne received a B.S. in English and Mathematics from Hampton Institute (now Hampton University), Hampton, Virginia in 1945.  She continued her education earning a Master’s Degree in Guidance and Personnel from the University of Maryland, College Park in 1968.

Anne married her college love, James Goodwyn (Big Jimmie) in 1943, prior to his going off to war and being stationed in Italy. They were blessed with two children from this union: James Jr. and Lynn.  Anne and Big Jimmie’s marriage lasted 45 years, until his death in 1988.  She later married Garnet Vintes (Vinny), and they were happily married for 21 years.

Three days after graduating from Hampton in January 1945, Anne began teaching mathematics at Bates High School, and became the first former student to return as a teacher.  She taught at Bates for 21 years.  Her role as a guidance counselor began at Annapolis Junior High, where she worked from 1966 - 1968.  Corkran Junior High was her next assigned school as a counselor from 1968 - 1979. Upon retiring in June 1979 from the Anne Arundel County Public Schools, Anne acquired a new job as an Advisor Assessor at the Maryland External High School Diploma Program until 1992. In this capacity, she assisted students working toward earning their high school diplomas. During her career, she served on the NCATE (National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education) for:  Virginia State College, 1973; University of Tennessee, 1975; and the University of Nevada, 1979. She was extremely proud of having been selected to travel across the country to evaluate these colleges and universities for accreditation.

Anne has been affiliated with John Wesley United Methodist Church (formerly Furnace Branch Church) from her baptism as an infant, until her passing. As a life-long member, she served in various positions: Secretary of the Administrative Council (20 years), President of the Administrative Council (3 years), member of the Trustee Board (2 terms), and many years as liturgist.

She was dedicated to her Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, where she was one of the Annapolis Alumnae Chapter’s first initiates in 1948.  Through the years, Anne remained an active member and served as President, Secretary and Treasurer. Hosting parties at her home for the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority was one of her greatest pleasures, and she did so for decades.

While her professional accomplishments were numerous, nothing compared to her love of family. When family members were seriously ill, Anne was the ultimate caregiver. When given a choice of traveling the world or hosting a backyard party for family, she would choose the latter.  Every Christmas, Easter, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day and Thanksgiving, family would gather at her home to celebrate. There were so many memorable experiences that filled her life and the lives of her family and friends. The admiration and respect for her dedication to the only high school in Anne Arundel County for African Americans, was evidenced practically every time she went to a store, a restaurant, or a function where former students would approach and say, “Ms. Goodwyn, you were my favorite teacher.” Everyone loved her. Anne held the family together; she was our matriarch.

Anne was preceded in death by her husbands, ‘Big Jimmie’ and ‘Vinny’; sisters, Otelia, Jean, Ruth, Naomi; brothers, Renelda, Maxie, Elbert.

She forever will be missed by: son, James H. Goodwyn Jr., daughter, Lynn Williams; daughter-in-law, Beverly Goodwyn; son-in-law, Michael Williams; three stepdaughters: Veonne Bright, Cheri Vintes, Shellyn Vintes-Edley; step-son-in-law, Jeffrey Bright; sister-in-law, Carrie Brooks; four grandchildren, Chris (wife Kristin) Goodwyn, Michael (wife Kauilani) Goodwyn, Kristin Williams Tokic, Brandon (wife Fay) Williams; four step-grandchildren, Ryan (wife Nicole) McMillian, Quay Bright, Kevin (fiancée Valerie) McMillian, Erica Bright; and numerous devoted nieces, nephews, great-grandchildren, relatives and friends.

The family will receive visitors at Singleton Funeral & Cremation Services, P.A., 1 2nd Ave. SW (at Crain Hwy) on Thursday, October 8th from 3-7 pm. A Private Funeral Service, by invitation only will be held on Friday, October 9th at 11 AM at Singleton Funeral & Cremation Services. The funeral service will be lived streamed via Zoom, please use the link below. Interment at Saint’s Rest Cemetery, Hanover, Maryland.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to John Wesley United Methodist Church, 6922 N. Ritchie Highway, Glen Burnie, MD 21061.

Here is the link to the funeral service for Mrs. Vintes. http://youtu.be/IgqU2URfEuQ