June 11, 1939 to September 12, 2015

Nettie Ruth Thompson Goto was born in Morton, MS - the third youngest of seven siblings. She attended Clarke Junior College, where she met her future husband, Tad and graduated from Blue Mountain College in MS. She moved to Downey in 1961 and was employed by Downey Unified School District as an elementary school teacher and administrator for more than 30 years. She earned a Masters in Education from California State University, Los Angeles and dedicated her career to teaching children to read and helping their parents support literacy at home.

She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Tad Goto; sisters Gladys Franklin, Thelma Franklin, Betty Still and brother Billy Thompson; daughters Stephanie McMahon and her husband Scott, and Viki Goto; and grandchildren Collin and Kira McMahon.

A service will be held at the First Baptist Church of Downey (8348 3rd Street) on Saturday, September 26 at 1pm, immediately followed by a reception in the Fellowship Hall. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Downey City Library Children's Department (11111 Brookshire Ave Downey 90241).