Bettie Montague Godwin

Obituary: Bettie Montague Godwin's faith in Christ became sight on Thursday, December 11th. She died peacefully at her home near Rockwell, surrounded by family and friends. Bettie was born to Glenn Edward and Ethel Tinker Montague on August 21, 1922, in the big stone house on the Dodge Road in Clio, Michigan. Bettie was the fifth of Glenn and Ethel's eight children. She was preceded in death by her brothers Donald Tinker Montague, Keith Glenn Montague, Paul Harry Montague, Robert Edward Montague and her sisters Margaret Montague and Lois Mamie Montague Ridley. She is survived by her sister Reatha Jennie Montague Wilson of Northville, Michigan. After her graduation from Mt. Morris High School in 1941, Bettie was accepted into the Henry Ford Hospital School of Nursing and Hygiene, and upon completion of the program in 1944, became an Ensign in the United States Navy. It was at Great Lakes Naval Base in Great Lakes, Ohio, where Bettie met the love of her life, a handsome Navy Chaplain named Clarence Edwin Godwin, Sr., a native of Ahoskie, NC. Bettie married her Chaplain on April 6, 1946, and they headed south to North Carolina to begin a life of ministry together. As Clarence served as pastor to congregations in Rocky Mount (First Baptist, 1946 - 1949; Lakeside, 1955 - 1965); Cary (First Baptist, 1949 - 1952); Winston-Salem (Southside Baptist, 1952 - 1955); and Oxford (Oxford Baptist, 1965 - 1983), Bettie was the consummate pastor's wife. She found great joy in serving her Lord by serving His people. Many lives have been touched by God's grace and love through Bettie's example. Bettie was devoted to her Lord, her husband, her children and her church, and her life is a testimony of persistent prayer and faithfulness. Bettie and Clarence enjoyed 56 years of marriage. After Clarence's death in 2002, Bettie moved to Rockwell, NC, to live with and be a model of amazing grace and service to her daughter. Bettie was an active member at First Baptist in Kannapolis, NC, where she served as a deacon and sang in the Sr. Adult Choir. Bettie was loved by all who knew her. Her heart for missions, her joyful laughter, and her passion for serving God will long be remembered by the folks at First Baptist. Bettie is survived by her four children: Clarence Edwin Godwin, Jr, (Melanie) of High Point, NC; Philip Montague Godwin of Durham, NC; Dowell Levy Godwin (Mary Ann) of Durham, NC; and Haven Morris Godwin Parrott (Mike) of Rockwell, NC; eight grandchildren: Catherine Montague Godwin Marsh (Ken) and Clarence Edwin Godwin, III (Caroline) of High Point, NC; Ashley Melissa Godwin and Spencer Blackwell Godwin of Durham, NC; Michael Dane Parrott of Charlotte, NC; Andrew Godwin Parrott of Rockwell, NC; Dylan O'Briant Parrott of Tumon, Guam; and Dalton Montague Parrott of Rockwell, NC; and five great-grandchildren: Virginia Elliot Marsh, George Alexander Marsh, Elizabeth Godwin Marsh, Clarence Edwin Godwin, IV, Hayes Alexander Godwin, all of High Point, NC. A memorial service to celebrate Bettie's life will be held at 2:30 PM Monday, December 15, 2014 at First Baptist Church, 101 North Main Street, Kannapolis, NC 28081, 704-938-4697. Dr. Thomas E. Cabaniss will officiate the service. The family will receive friends from 1:00 to 2:30 PM prior at the church. Memorials may be sent to First Baptist Church, 101 North Main Street, Kannapolis, NC, 28081. Online condolences may be left at www.whitleysfuneralhome.com
Visitation: 1:00 to 2:30 PM Monday December 15, 2014 First Baptist Church Kannapolis

Service: 2:30 PM Monday December 15, 2014 First Baptist Church Kannapolis

Interment: private