Karla Maria Goodson

Karla Maria Goodson, a native of Thomas County, GA, died in Tallahassee on September 30, 2025. Karla was born on November 20, 1955, in Thomasville, Georgia to Chester Goodson and Ruth Turner Goodson Furey. Karla grew up in Barwick, Georgia, where her grandfather had settled and established a series of successful turpentine camps and naval stores in the 1930s. The rural lifestyle in Barwick sparked Karla's early love of nature and horseback riding and led to her participation in youth dressage competitions.

After graduating from Brooks County High School, Karla moved to Tallahassee, where she pursued a career in administrative and government affairs, working for the Florida Chamber of Commerce, several law firms, and, most recently, the Florida Board of Governors.

As a young adult, Karla mastered scuba diving and enjoyed traveling to various diving locations. Her passion for horses extended throughout her life as she closely followed horse competitions and regularly attended the annual Red Hills Invitational Horse Trials in Tallahassee. Karla was also the quintessential cat lover, fostering and adopting numerous cats throughout her years in Tallahassee.

Charleston, SC, was a favorite travel destination for Karla, and she was also a self-professed Anglophile and super fan of the Downton Abbey television series. A highlight was visiting Highclere Castle, the series film location, during a PBS Tour to England.

Karla married her longtime partner, Paul Mahaffey, in Orlando in 2019, and they enjoyed several years of traveling and creating special memories. She is predeceased by her parents and first husband, Walter Terrie. In addition to her husband Paul, Karla is survived by her stepson David Mahaffey (Denise) and their children, Lucas and Madalyn, her brother, Joseph Anthony Bono (Nancy), her cousin, Shannon Turner, niece Jenna Lasseter Carroll (Jake), and nephew Landon Turner Lasseter. Allen & Allen Funeral Home in Thomasville is handling arrangements. A graveside service will be held for Karla at 2 pm on Sunday, October 5, 2025, at Rosewood Cemetery, where she will be laid to rest alongside her parents and grandparents. In lieu of flowers, you may consider a donation to the Leon County Humane Society. https://www.leoncountyhumane.org