Earle author releases heartfelt memoir, The Dying of Rebeca

Clyde Goodbar pays tribute to late wife

By DON WILBURN

donaldfwilburn@gmail.com

Earle native and accomplished author Clyde Goodbar has unveiled his latest book, The Dying of Rebeca, a deeply personal account of love, loss, and resilience. The memoir honors the life of his late wife, Rebeca Rosales- Goodbar, who passed away suddenly from an aggressive form of cancer.

“Rebeca was the love of my life, and I couldn’t let her story be reduced to a mere obituary,” Goodbar shared. “She was active and vivacious, with a smile that could brighten anyone’s day. Her death was so sudden – within just 30 days, she went from being full of life to bedridden.”

The book reects on the 25 years Goodbar spent married to Rebeca, calling them “the best 25 years” of his life. Through vivid storytelling, it details their shared joys and the painful _nal month of her life. Goodbar describes the experience as profoundly heartbreaking, especially as it mirrored the loss of his _rst wife, who also died of the same type of cancer.

“Watching someone you love die day by day is hell,” Goodbar admitted. “To experience it twice is truly unimaginable. But Rebeca’s life deserves to be celebrated, and her story deserves to be remembered.”

See MEMOIR, page A2

Earle native and author wrote a book about his wife because she “deserved more than an obituary.”

Photo Submitted MEMOIR

From page A1

The memoir, which spans 352 pages and features 16 color photos, is now available as an eBook on platforms such as Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and iTunes.

In addition to this poignant release, Goodbar is setting his sights on a new historical project. He is diving into the rich history of the Gibson Bayou Church and Cemetery, a landmark founded in 1869 that has held a special place in his life. The upcoming book, The Talk of Gibson Bayou, will delve into the church’s legacy and its signi_cance to the surrounding community.

Goodbar invites anyone with personal connections to the church and cemetery to share their stories, helping to weave a rich tapestry of its history.

As a seasoned author and artist, Goodbar continues to explore themes of love, legacy, and the human experience through his work. For him, writing is a way to preserve stories and honor lives that might otherwise fade into memory.

“My hope is that readers of The Dying of Rebeca will feel her spirit and understand the depth of our love,” Goodbar said. “This book is my tribute to her and to the incredible life she lived.”