Ludi Mai Sensabaugh Goode, an active contributor to the cultural and civic life of the Dallas community for over fifty years, went home to be with her Lord on Monday, December 8 at her home in Dallas.

Born in San Diego, California, in 1913, she graduated valedictorian from Central High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She moved to Dallas when her father, Dr. Leon Sensabaugh, became the Minister of Education of Highland Park Methodist Church.  She attended SMU, graduating in 1935 with a degree in English and drama.  At SMU, she was a member of Alpha Theta Pi (equivalent to Phi Beta Kappa), Mortar Board, the Arden Club, and the Delta Gamma sorority, which she has served in many capacities ever since.  Her lifelong devotion to Delta Gamma was recognized in 1967 when she received the area’s first Cable Award for extraordinary loyalty from the Delta Gamma sorority.  In 1992 the Alpha Upsilon chapter dedicated a garden in her name on the SMU campus.

While in college she played the lead in most of the campus theatrical productions, was featured singer with the Mustang Band and began her professional career as a crooner, appearing regularly at Dallas’ Palace Theatre. From 1935 to 1938 she performed on WFAA’s “Pepper Uppers” radio show as Miss Sugah with “Sugah and Her Boyfriends.” The show aired on Sunday nights across the south on the NBC radio network.

After graduation, Mrs. Goode was a luminary on the local stage with the Dallas Civic Theatre and the Dallas Little Theatre taking the leading roles in such plays as Candida, Alcestis, The Magnificent Yankee, An Enemy of the People, The Madwoman of Challot, and The Cocktail Party.

In 1937 she married the prominent Dallas surgeon Dr. John V. Goode who pre-deceased her in 1989.  After marriage she turned her considerable talents to raising a family, but she remained active in local theatre.  She founded the Dallas Children’s Theatre and directed its productions for 15 years, she served as board member and secretary of Margo Jones Theatre and she continued giving play reviews and benefit programs for local clubs and organizations for many years.   She was a member of the Dallas Junior League, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra League of Women, the Medical Center Woman’s Club, The Dallas Women’s Club, and she served on the board of the Dallas Museum of Art.   In 1958 she was honored with a life membership in the Texas PTA.

The theatre was in her blood, there was music in her soul, and service in her heart. Throughout her long and illustrious career as actress, singer, wife and mother she touched the lives of many people from radio listeners and theatre audiences to cub scouts and the women of Delta Gamma sorority.   All who came within the orbit of her generous smile were enchanted by her charm and grace and could call her friend.

She is survived by two sons and daughters in law: John and Doris Goode of Lake Jackson, Texas, and Richard and Nancy Goode of Charlotte, North Carolina.  She is also survived by five grandchildren (Deborah Schueren and husband Robert, John Goode III and wife Pari, John H. Goode and wife Michelle, Shannon Foster and husband Dax and Melissa Vega and husband Chris) and five great grandchildren (Jade Foster, Bayley Foster, Matthew Schueren, Zachary Goode and Ethan Goode).

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alpha Upsilon Endowed Scholarship Fund in care of the Delta Gamma Foundation of Dallas, P.O. Box 670185, Dallas, TX 75367.

A memorial service celebrating Ludi Mai’s life with us will be held at the Cox Chapel of Highland Park Methodist Church in Dallas on January 24, 2004 at 10:00 a.m.