John Godbee

Mr. John Francis Godbee, Sr. Retired Educator, Legislator; Veteran - STATESBORO - Mr. John Francis Godbee, Sr., age 87, died February 27, 2014 under the care of Ogeechee Area Hospice. Mr. Godbee was the son of the late Elizabeth Herrington Godbee and Harry Evans Godbee, Sr. of Sardis, Georgia. Mr. Godbee was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Laura Margaret Brady Godbee. He was also preceded in death by two brothers, Harry Evans Godbee, Jr., and James Thomas Godbee, and two brothers-in-law, Roy Rabun and Remer L. Brady. Surviving are one son and daughter-in-law, John F. Godbee, Jr. and Carole of Brooklet, Ga., two daughters and a son-in-law, Lynn Morlock of Atlanta and Kittie and David Prosser of Statesboro. He is survived by 6 grandchildren and their spouses, Wesley and Amy Godbee of Brooklet, Holly and Josh Greeson of Brooklet, Chad and Jennifer Prosser of Statesboro, Drew and Andrea Prosser of Cincinnati, OH, Melissa and Brent Ziarnick of Phoenix, AZ, and Lauren and Rudy Cortjens of Atlanta. He is also survived by his sister, Sara Elizabeth Rabun of Charlotte, NC and sisters-in-law, Virginia Godbee of Sardis, GA, and Nell Brady of Savannah, GA, as well as 12 great grandchildren. Mr. Godbee received his B.S. Degree in Education from Georgia Teachers College, his M.A. Degree from Peabody College and his Education Specialist Degree from Georgia Southern College. He was a member of the Statesboro First United Methodist Church and the Dan Williams Sunday School Class. He was a member and past president of the Statesboro Rotary Club, Snooky's Coffee Club, and Brooklet Coffee Club. He was past president of the Brooklet Kiwanis Club and a former Mayor of Brooklet. Mr. Godbee taught school in Statesboro and Portal and was Principal of Southeast Bulloch High School for 16 years. He retired from the field of Education after 30 years. After retirement from education, he was associated with the Woodman of the World Insurance Co. for 15 years. He was a member of the State House of Representatives for 16 years, serving Bulloch, Jenkins, Screven and Candler Counties. He served as Vice-Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee for four years and Chairman of the House Education Committee for four years. Despite his hectic schedule of committee service, he found time to be a model husband, father and grandfather, while remaining active in church, civic and community affairs. He retired from the State House of Representatives in January of 1997. In 1998, The State Transportation Board recognized him for his dedication and service to the people of his state and region. It was resolved that the segment of State Route 24 extending from the Statesboro City Limits to the Ogeechee River in Bulloch County be designated the John F. Godbee Highway. Mr. Godbee was instrumental in bringing University status to Georgia Southern and was chosen as the Alumnus of the Year in 1986. In 1996, Ogeechee Technical Institute recognized and honored him for his hard work and productive dedication on behalf of the school. In 2001, he received the Dean Day Smith Life Time Achievement Award. Mr. Godbee lived a life of service to others and will be remembered for his dedication to his family, his community and his state. He was well known for his honesty and integrity and for the fair manner in which he treated all those with whom he came into contact. Visitation: 1:30 to 3:00 PM Sunday, March 2, 2014 in Statesboro First United Methodist Church-Fellowship Hall. Funeral Services: 3:30 PM Sunday, March 2, 2014 in Statesboro First United Methodist Church with the Reverend Jimmy Cason officiating. Burial will follow at the Bulloch Memorial Gardens. The family is especially appreciative of the loving care and compassionate assistance he received from the care givers at Willow Pond Assisted Living and Ogeechee Area Hospice. Memorial Contributions may be made to the Statesboro First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 2048, Statesboro, GA 30459, Ogeechee Area Hospice, P.O. Box 531, Statesboro, GA 30459 or the memorial fund of the donor's choice. Please visit our online memorial at www.hodgesmoore.com to sign our online guestbook and share fond memories with the Godbee family. Hodges-Moore Funeral Home, Statesboro Savannah Morning News March 2, 2014 Please sign our Obituary Guest Book at savannahnow.com/obituaries.