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Emmett Ray Godfrey

Emmett Godfrey Obituary

January 10, 2015 Emmett Ray Godfrey, age 64, passed away Saturday, January 10, 2015 after a battle with cancer. Emmett graduated from Phillips High School in 1968. He attended Jefferson State Junior College where he was Student Government President, then graduated from the University of Montevallo in 1972 in Marketing and Business. Emmett owned Underwriting Services of Alabama from 1975 until 2004. He held offices in Alabama Association of Health Underwriters, Birmingham Association of Health Underwriters, and Brokers Health Insurance Network. After retiring from the insurance business, he owned The Baseball Card Shop in Hoover and served on the Board of Directors for Beckett Sports Guide. He then served as COO of Metro Truck Rental and Storage. Emmett is preceded in death by his parents, Jesse Dawson and Frances Taylor Godfrey. He is survived by his adoring wife of 44 years, Debby Whisenhunt Godfrey, his son Emory Hunter Godfrey (Cinda), and the lights of his life, granddaughters Gates Christian Godfrey and Arden Kimble Godfrey. He is also survived by many other loving family members and friends. A celebration of his life will be held this Sunday, January 18 at the former 1st Presbyterian Church of Bessemer at 1724 3rd Avenue North across from the Jefferson County Courthouse. Visitation will be 2:00-4:00p.m, followed by a memorial service and fellowship. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to your favorite charity or the Greater Birmingham Humane Society.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by AL.com (Birmingham) from Jan. 13 to Jan. 16, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for Emmett Godfrey

23 Entries

Tricia Turner

January 17, 2015

Debby, we are sending our condolences to you and your family. Please know you are in our thoughts. Love Tricia and John Turner

Nora Essman

January 17, 2015

Praying God's comfort today and everyday going forward. You were truly blessed with a long marriage to a man you loved. Emmitt hasn't left you he's 'only gone from sight'.

R.P. (Pat) McDavid

January 17, 2015

Debby, I don't know what to say except that the world was a much better place with Emmett in it. From the day I first met Emmett (I recruited him into the insurance industry in 1973, I think)I knew we were going to be good friends. He always made me feel like everything works out for the best in the end. He used to come over and watch football with me when I lived in one of many Valley Avenue apartments. It was there in one of them that he gave me some of the best advice I've ever been given. He told me, "PR (instead of RP or Pat like everybody else)you know what your problem is?" Of course, I said, No! He said, "You need to start being either all good or all bad. Vacillating between the two will eventually do you in." It took a few years, but I finally tested his theory and he was right, of course. I just wish we had been able to stay in closer contact these past 25 years. God bless.

January 17, 2015

Debbie, i feel your loss, and you no what you and emmitt mean to me, emmett was my rock i could always lean on when i needed a friend, he was a father figure to me and helping me and so many ways, there want be a day i want think about him, i know he is pain free now, and he does not have to tevo all his football games, he has time to watch them now, i no he will always be there for me, to help make the right choices in life, i loved him just like he was my father, but is great to no he will always be there looking over all of his friends and helping them, my heart is broke for the loss of emmitt, mark p. mahaffey

Rosanna Lester

January 16, 2015

Debby there are no words I can say to comfort you-You will always have your memories keep them close to you heart -Prayers for you and the family

Katie Stem

January 16, 2015

Debbie,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time. I am so sorry for your loss.

Joni Crowe

January 16, 2015

Debby, may God comfort you and keep you strong..My prayers are with you and your family ...Emmett will always live in your heart...until you meet again I am sure Renee is bending his ear. Much love, Joni

Charlie Copeland

January 16, 2015

To a kind person,great boss,and extraordinary gentleman,we will all miss Emmett Godfrey at Metro. It is rare in this world to meet and work someone of such high caliber,inspiration,and ability.My prayers, thoughts,and condolences to you and yours at this time Debbie.
Charlie Copeland-Metro Hueytown

January 15, 2015

Debbie, I have been thinking about you and family. With deepest sympathy. Love and prayers. Joy Hobbs

May toole

January 15, 2015

Debbie my thoughts and prayers are with you

Roxann Maxwell

January 15, 2015

Debby, I wanted to let you know you have been on my heart. Emmett was a rare individual that will not be forgotten. The love and respect he had for you is a once in a lifetime find. He adored you. I'll be here if you need me. I love you.

Nancy Prickett

January 15, 2015

I am so very sorry for your loss. Emmett and I went to Montevallo together. He was a really kind person. We were in the same Geology class and I remember him well. My thoughts and prayers are with all of his family.

TERRY MCANNALLY

January 15, 2015

Dear Debbie, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I know you probably don't know me but I have been at Metro for 3 years. In the short time that I knew Emmett, I developed a respect and love for him that I do not experience often. It rivaled the relationship I have with my own Father. I had a chance to correspond with him, the weekend before he passed, and for that I am so grateful. There is a Bright Star in Heaven now, and I know he is looking down on us, and smiling because of the wonderful family at Metro Truck Rental, that he was instrumental in growing and prospering, and for that I am very grateful.

Deepest Regards,

Terry McAnnally
Metro Customer Service

Cindy Vanderlinden

January 14, 2015

Prayers for you and your Family. May God wrap His Loving arms around you.

January 14, 2015

Debby, we are so sorry to hear of your loss. Bonnie and Albert Lipscomb

January 14, 2015

Emmett may you rest in peace now after your long hard battle. May God give the family peace in knowing that Emmett is no longer suffering and is in a much better place. Prayers and heartfelt sympathy to all of you.
Debby, if you need anything, let me know.
Janice

Karen Coshatt-Miller

January 14, 2015

I worked with Emmett's father at Acme Uniform when I was 18 years old. I remember Emmett very well as he would hang around the warehouse. I remember that he was a polite young gentleman. I was very sorry to learn of his passing from cancer. I lost my husband of 36 years of marriage in March of last year, so I know the heartache of watching a love one suffer. My thoughts and prayers are with Emmett's wife, son and extended family.

January 14, 2015

True Southern Gentleman who inspired all who really knew him. "Gentle Giant" of a man, with meticulous character, integrity, and loyalty towards employment. Huge loss!
Ken Giglio

Bill Thomas

January 14, 2015

Debby... thoughts and prayers are with you. Very sorry to hear this news and wish I hadn't been such a stranger. God Bless.

Rebecca Taylor

January 14, 2015

Debbie, I hope God will give you the strength you need during this difficult time; my prayers are with you and your family. You have lost an amazing man and he too was a lucky man to have had you in his life.

Janice Crumpton

January 14, 2015

Debby, so sorry you have lost the man you spent most of your life with. I know you will always love and cherish him in your heart. Prayers and love to you and yours

Joanie Kennedy Price

January 13, 2015

I am truly blessed for having known Emmett. Praying for you, Debbie, and the family.

Jim Mantooth

January 13, 2015

Debbie, Sandi and I send our deepest sincere sorrow. I wish we could be there for the memorial service but both of us been have been very sick

We love you and all my Alabama cousins. May God give you His peace and comfort through your grieve

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