John Robert Godfrey

John Robert “Johnny” Godfrey, age 73, of Baxley passed away Friday, October 7, 2022 at his residence after a long battle with dementia.

On Monday, May 16, 1949, at Goldman Hospital in Hazlehurst, in the early hours of morning at 3:38a.m. a 7lb. 15oz baby boy was born to Mrs. Lillie Grey O’Quinn Godfrey of Graham.  She named him John Robert Godfrey.  While still a very small boy, Johnny and his family moved to Baxley, where he grew up and attended school and became a 1968 graduate of Appling County High School. Johnny attended Baxley First United Methodist with his family and became a member while still a young boy.  Johnny worked odd & end jobs in and around Georgia and Florida, while attending college in Jacksonville, FL until being drafted into the United States Army in 1969.  He served his tour of duty in Germany and returned home to Baxley as a Sergeant with numerous medals of honor.  After his service, Johnny took a local job with the Postal Service and retired with 35 years of service all while earning a degree in criminal justice from Brewton Parker College.  Johnny was a collector and some of his treasures were knives, nutcrackers, eagle figurines, M&M memorabilia, and post office memorabilia.  Johnny was preceded in death by his mother, Lille Grey O’Quinn Godfrey; grandparents, S. E. “Dock” & Zadie Ogelsby O’Quinn; and parents-in-law, J. Dudley & Fannie Lynch Turner.

Survivors include his wife of 33 years, Cathy Jean Turner Godfrey of Baxley; granddaughter, Madeline Rose Herrington of Atlanta and grandson, Samuel Evan Herrington of Jefferson; his “Bird” and “Boy,” as Papa called them with adoring love. Several past fur children, among them being:  Chico, Maggie, Toi,  Sam and Velvet-Pepper-Starr; special current fur children, Norah, Ralph, China  and   several others that received loads of love from Papa; former wife, Dana Leigh Godfrey Baker of North Georgia.  Also surviving are special friends, Glynn and Lisa Pearce and family of Surrency.

A memorial service will be held Sunday, October 9, 2022 at 3:00 pm from the Chapel of Swain Funeral Home with Rev. Brad Park, Rev. Tommy Daniels, Rev. Rick Brown officiating and a eulogy by Lisa Ammons Pearce.  Musical selections will be rendered by Ashley Pearce Smith and David Williams.

Visitation will begin at 12:00 pm until hour of service.

Pallbearers will be Jeff Herrington, Noel Herrington, Edsel Mayers, Jimmy Carter, Eddie Wynn, Glynn Pearce, Steve Hayes and Nathan Tillman and flag bearer, Campbell Singer.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Swain Funeral Home.