Connie Mae Gooden, retired nurse and mother of Kansas City ghost hunter, dies at 65

As a paranormal investigator, Marie Jackson has a different view of death.

In a profession where she seeks out the spirits of the deceased, she believes death does not mean the end. Losing her mother, Connie Mae Gooden, a steadfast supporter of a career many would scoff at, Jackson is comforted by the feeling that her mother’s spirit still remains close.

“She told me that she was so proud of me,” says Jackson, whom The Star profiled in 2021. “I can remember her being so excited whenever I would tell her about something new I was investigating or when I wrote my book.”

Gooden, a retired nurse of 30 years, died from bladder cancer on Jan. 6. She was 65.

Gooden grew up with eight siblings and went on to have nine children, like her mother and father.

Jackson remembers the household being a strict place under the authoritative rule of her father. Her mother, however, was what she describes as the other side of that parental coin, a gentle soul who made raising her children her priority.

“My mom was like the compass that guided the family. We all relied on her to tell us we were heading in the right direction,” says Jackson, the youngest of the nine children.

Her family will also remember Gooden for her resilience, not allowing obstacles to stop her from achieving a goal, no matter how difficult. This trait is one of the many gifts Jackson believes her mother blessed her and her siblings with.

“My mother never complained. She had to work so hard to keep up with the kids and the house and just make sure that everyone was solid. She had to be that pillar of support for everyone,” she says

Jackson is now adjusting to the future without the person she turned to for advice, support and inspiration.

“I am going to miss her smile and her sarcasm,” laughed Jackson. “She was a very quick-witted woman who used humor to get through tough times. She would just be over at my house talking to me and out of nowhere just start cleaning up.”

Jackson, who is one of the few Black paranormal investigators in the country, was hesitant to tell her family about her career ambitions because of their strict religious background. Waiting until after the death of her father, Jackson told her mother she wanted to hunt ghosts.

Last year, Jackson released her memoir, “10 Feet Under,” recounting her lifelong experiences with the paranormal growing up in South Kansas City. She says that when she finished writing it, her mother would be the first person to read it.

“She started crying and gave me a hug. She said she was so excited for me to tell my story and just be free finally. That meant so much to me,” she says.

Jackson, a mother of four, now finds herself drawing on that internal strength that her mother passed down to her. Though her mother has died, Jackson believes this is not an eternal farewell.

“Even though she is gone, I can still feel her presence, and that gives me comfort that one day I may encounter her spirit, and that makes me happy.”

Gooden is survived by siblings Alvin Gooden, Charles Gooden and Peggy Gooden; children Melissa Randolph, William Evans, Michelle Evans, Robert Evans, Marie Jackson, Melanie Evans, Norman Evans, Monique Evans and Mylisha Hurt; and a host of nieces, nephews, and grandchildren.

Other remembrances

Stanley Ransom

Stanley Ransom, a union worker and father, died Jan. 8. He was 63.

Ransom was born to Grover and Eugenia Ransom on April 6, 1959, in Kansas City. He was the youngest of his parents’ eight sons. After graduating from Central High School, Ransom worked for AT&T for the next 30 years. He worked in many cities, such as Tulsa and Los Angeles, and finally came back home to Kansas City.

Ransom worked closely with labor unions, showing a dedication to employee rights and assisting with local issues concerning Black workers. He will be remembered by friends and family as a kind-hearted and passionate individual. His selfless nature led to him taking care of his elderly mother, as well as his brother when he needed medical care.

He had two children, who were his most important job.

He is survived by brothers Donald Ransom, Gary Ransom, Michael Ransom, Grover Ransom Jr., Billy Ransom and Timmy Ransom; sister Shirla Ransom; daughter Kyeisa Ransom; and nieces, nephews, and grandchildren.

Melvin King

Melvin King, mechanic, father and pastor, died Dec. 31. He was 80.

King was born on Feb. 10, 1942, to George and Lucille King in Edwards, Mississippi. He was the fourth of his parents’ nine children. Faith was a large part of their life.

He moved to Kansas City to be an iron worker. King loved cars and was talented in his ability to work on them. He opened his own garage, King’s Auto Body Shop, where he worked as a mechanic.

King later became a pastor, founding the Christian Fellowship Ministries in 2003 with his wife, Florene. They used the church to reach many people and participate in community outreach programs, including feeding the homeless, providing children with school supplies and doing community picnics.

He is survived by his wife, Florene King; his children, LaMario Myrick, Yvette King, Sonia King, Alicia Gunnels, Deena King, Latonya Myrick; siblings Joe King, Floyd Stewart, Ernestine King and Carolyn Thomas; and a host of extended family and friends.