Moving into Retirement

Majors Benton (Jr.) and Pearl Markham recently retired from active officership in Albuquerque, New Mex., following 33 years of faithful service.

Born a third generation Salvationist, Ben grew up attending the Army in Florida, and later met Pearl Griffin during his military service in South Carolina. Ben served 14 years throughout the United States in the military, and fought in the Korean War. During his stint in Puerto Rico, Pearl was converted and became the first Senior soldier enrolled in that country.

They both entered officer training from Spokane, Wash., and were commissioned with the Proclaimers of Faith Session in 1965.

Ben and Pearl served as corps officers in Coos Bay, Ore., Great Falls, Mont., Salt Lake City, Utah; Idaho Falls, Ida., Hilo, Hawaiian Islands, and as true pioneers opened the work in the Marshall Islands. They returned to the mainland, continuing as corps officers in Bakersfield, Calif., Vancouver, Wash., and Albuquerque.

Both attended Brengle Holiness Institute, and in 1990 Ben was recognized by New Frontier as one of the “Shakers and Movers of the Decade” for his work in the Marshall Islands.

The Markhams have been blessed with five children: Major Ben (III); Lorena Vincent; Captain Margaret Peacock; Edward, Edmund and Quinton, and 12 grandchildren.

The Markhams’ retirement address is P.O. Box 6585, Big Bear Lake CA 92315.

After an active and varied career, Major Shirley Goode has recently entered honored retirement.

Shirley was born near Salem, Ore. While attending Cascade College in Portland, Ore., she became acquainted with The Salvation Army. Her graduation with a B.A. in Music led to her entering the Training College in San Francisco, and she was commissioned in 1955 with the Soul Winners Session.

Shirley’s music background has served her well in every appointment, beginning with the Children’s Home at Lytton, where she was assistant chaplain. After two corps appointments, she spent six years on the teaching staff at the Training College in San Francisco, again sharing her music ministry. Though her next assignment was as Southern California Divisional corps cadet counselor, she participated in all of the youth programs.

After a three-year absence she re-entered active officership, serving in divisional and corps assignments until returning to the training staff, this time in Rancho Palos Verdes, for five years.

Major Goode served with the Booth Homes until downsizing of the program, after which she served in varied divisional and corps assignments. Her final years of service have been on the staff of the Northwest Divisional Headquarters as Older Adult Ministries Secretary.

Shirley has three daughters, Capt. Susan Payton, Debi (Mrs. Jack Buckingham) and Linda, and four grandchildren.

In retirement, she will live at 16500 S.E. 1st St. #124, Vancouver, WA 98684.

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