her to have them in a sealed container , ready to share . She also takes special requests for family members and others who want them to give away .
For years , Godeaux ’ s daughter , Rita Flint , shared the cookies with her colleagues at schools where she worked , including Parkview Elementary , Carver Middle and Meridian High .
“ People would just show up in my office and ask me if I had any of Mamaw ’ s cookies ,” she said . “ That ’ s what they called them . I can never remember a time when we didn ’ t have them .”
At Christmas , Godeaux also makes the cookies to give to friends , neighbors and others . She also sometimes gives peanut brittle as a gift .
“ I have always liked to give people homemade gifts ,” she said . “ It seems like a nice thing to do , to me .”
For years , Godeaux , who describes herself as “ just a country cook ,” prepared a family dinner every Sunday for her children and grandchildren . In the past 18 years , great-grandchildren have been added to the fold .
More recently , she has shifted to a once-a-month dinner . Anyone who has a birthday that month gets to pick some of the meal ’ s items .
Family members have asked for items including meatloaf , turkey and dressing , and chicken and dumplings . Chicken casserole also is a frequently requested item – and is one that other family members also have learned to prepare .
She also has tea cakes on hand , and family members bring cupcakes or cakes to share . She also makes homemade rolls , cornbread and vegetables . Because several great-grandchildren love brown rice , she also usually has it on hand .
Godeaux usually has between 20 and 30 people for her Sunday meals .
Godeaux said she realizes how fortunate she is to still have the strength and energy to prepare such a big meal . She said she is thankful that some of her family members are maintaining her cooking traditions , making her chicken casserole , tea cakes and other staples .
“ They are carrying on those traditions , I guess ,” she said , adding that one of her grandsons has learned to make biscuits and dressing . “ I ’ m glad they are learning .” Godeaux said the joy her family and friends get from her cooking helps to keep her in the kitchen .
“ I do like to share what I make ,” she said . “ It ’ s just something I ’ ve always done and always been happy to do . I will do it as long as I can . I think it helps to keep people coming together .”
22 • TIMELESS MERIDIAN