1923
Fannie
2011
Fannie Godwin
June 12, 1923 — August 9, 2011
Ms. Fannie Ruth Godwin of Scott County was called to be with The Lord on Tuesday, August 9, 2011, after a brief illness at the age of 88. Ms. Godwin was born to the late James H. Davis and Susanna Roland Davis on June 12, 1923 in the community of Donahoe, near Lake, MS. She was fortunate to be part of a large family (five brothers and one sister), spending her formative years on the family farm in the close-knit community of Oak Grove. Ms. Godwin is survived by her dear brother and confidant, Mr. Desmond Davis of Pensacola, FL, several cousins, scores of nieces and nephews, and a multitude of friends who adored her and will cherish her memory in the years to come. A visitation was held on Sunday, August 14 from 3:00 – 5:00 pm at the Ott and Lee Funeral Home chapel in Forest, MS. The funeral services occurred on Monday, August 15 at 10:00 am at Oak Grove Baptist Church on Lake Norris Road; interment at the church cemetery immediately followed. Ott and Lee Funeral Home handled all of the arrangements.
Ms. Godwin was preceded in death by four brothers and her only sister (Jimmie and Howell Davis of Pensacola, FL; William Davis of Lake, MS; Fred Davis of Starkville, MS; and Iva Jean Davis Herrera of Bernalillo, NM). Her only surviving first cousin is Mrs. Katie Ruth Hogue Brown of Brandon, MS, who shared her childhood with Ms. Godwin in rural Scott County. “Her joyous spirit and great sense of humor endeared her to so many whose lives came in touch with hers”, mused Mrs. Brown. “She was a very dear lady and close friend to me”.
Fannie Ruth Davis was educated at High Hill, and later graduated from Lake High School in 1942. As a young woman, she moved to Pensacola, FL where she worked for a number of years as civilian Assistant to the Admiral at the Naval Air Station. Her quick wit and charming personality served her well over the years, and she took great pride in her work and service to her country (she was recognized by leadership for her outstanding performance and achievements). Shortly after moving to Florida, she met and married Walter E. Godwin, Jr. (they were married for over 31 years). For many years, Ms. Godwin also worked as bookkeeper at her brother’s family business, Davis Hardware of Pensacola. In 1974, Fannie Ruth Godwin returned to the family farm in Scott County, MS where she lived with her brother, William Davis. During the next three decades, she was an active member of Oak Grove Baptist Church and was very involved with the Norris Homemaker’s Club of Scott County. Over the years, she served in many leadership roles for the organization, including president. Ms. Godwin loved to participate in various church and community activities, reaching out to neighbors and embracing strong Christian values. She was a remarkable cook and homemaker; her delicious pear preserves and spicy chili sauce salsa recipes were perennial blue-ribbon winners at the Mississippi State Fair.
After her brother William passed away in 1993, Ms. Godwin continued to live on the family farm until the spring of 2007. She then moved to J.G. Alexander Nursing Center in Union, MS, where her jovial disposition helped create new friendships with both the residents and staff. Ms. Godwin was very involved in their faith-based activities, including bible study and devotion, and the various praise and worship programs. On several occasions she was asked to lead those gathered in singing for that day’s program (which she graciously accepted and sometimes pondered about this new-found gift that came later in life). Ms. Godwin had a close-knit group of friends at the Center, and the ladies eventually earned the affectionate nickname of “The Golden Girls” from members of the staff.
Although she was not blessed with children of her own, Ms. Godwin was a beloved and dear aunt to many nieces and nephews, and even more great-nieces and great-nephews. Her extended family of nieces and nephews includes the late Jimmie Lois Bruhn, and Reggie (Alice) Armstrong of Amarillo, TX; Karen Davis of Washington state, Nancy Cox, Eileen Caro and Howell Davis, Jr. of Pensacola, FL; Nan (Mike) Anderson of Decatur, MS, the late Bill Davis and Bob Davis of Starkville, MS. Other nieces and nephews are Carla Knight of Fischer, TX, Terri (Dean) Horak of Elberta, AL, Robin (Mike) Murray and Paula Davis of Pensacola, FL, and Tricia (John) Green of Gulf Breeze, FL; Ruthanne (Ned) Torres of Liberty Township, OH and James Gunn of Tijeras, NM. Thanks for joining all of her relatives and friends in celebrating the life and legacy of Fannie Ruth Davis Godwin.
Ms. Godwin was preceded in death by four brothers and her only sister (Jimmie and Howell Davis of Pensacola, FL; William Davis of Lake, MS; Fred Davis of Starkville, MS; and Iva Jean Davis Herrera of Bernalillo, NM). Her only surviving first cousin is Mrs. Katie Ruth Hogue Brown of Brandon, MS, who shared her childhood with Ms. Godwin in rural Scott County. “Her joyous spirit and great sense of humor endeared her to so many whose lives came in touch with hers”, mused Mrs. Brown. “She was a very dear lady and close friend to me”.
Fannie Ruth Davis was educated at High Hill, and later graduated from Lake High School in 1942. As a young woman, she moved to Pensacola, FL where she worked for a number of years as civilian Assistant to the Admiral at the Naval Air Station. Her quick wit and charming personality served her well over the years, and she took great pride in her work and service to her country (she was recognized by leadership for her outstanding performance and achievements). Shortly after moving to Florida, she met and married Walter E. Godwin, Jr. (they were married for over 31 years). For many years, Ms. Godwin also worked as bookkeeper at her brother’s family business, Davis Hardware of Pensacola. In 1974, Fannie Ruth Godwin returned to the family farm in Scott County, MS where she lived with her brother, William Davis. During the next three decades, she was an active member of Oak Grove Baptist Church and was very involved with the Norris Homemaker’s Club of Scott County. Over the years, she served in many leadership roles for the organization, including president. Ms. Godwin loved to participate in various church and community activities, reaching out to neighbors and embracing strong Christian values. She was a remarkable cook and homemaker; her delicious pear preserves and spicy chili sauce salsa recipes were perennial blue-ribbon winners at the Mississippi State Fair.
After her brother William passed away in 1993, Ms. Godwin continued to live on the family farm until the spring of 2007. She then moved to J.G. Alexander Nursing Center in Union, MS, where her jovial disposition helped create new friendships with both the residents and staff. Ms. Godwin was very involved in their faith-based activities, including bible study and devotion, and the various praise and worship programs. On several occasions she was asked to lead those gathered in singing for that day’s program (which she graciously accepted and sometimes pondered about this new-found gift that came later in life). Ms. Godwin had a close-knit group of friends at the Center, and the ladies eventually earned the affectionate nickname of “The Golden Girls” from members of the staff.
Although she was not blessed with children of her own, Ms. Godwin was a beloved and dear aunt to many nieces and nephews, and even more great-nieces and great-nephews. Her extended family of nieces and nephews includes the late Jimmie Lois Bruhn, and Reggie (Alice) Armstrong of Amarillo, TX; Karen Davis of Washington state, Nancy Cox, Eileen Caro and Howell Davis, Jr. of Pensacola, FL; Nan (Mike) Anderson of Decatur, MS, the late Bill Davis and Bob Davis of Starkville, MS. Other nieces and nephews are Carla Knight of Fischer, TX, Terri (Dean) Horak of Elberta, AL, Robin (Mike) Murray and Paula Davis of Pensacola, FL, and Tricia (John) Green of Gulf Breeze, FL; Ruthanne (Ned) Torres of Liberty Township, OH and James Gunn of Tijeras, NM. Thanks for joining all of her relatives and friends in celebrating the life and legacy of Fannie Ruth Davis Godwin.
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