Dr. H.C. Godfrey Sr.

Dr. H.C. Godfrey, Sr., 91, of Valdosta, died at home on January 20, 2010 after a brief illness. Born on December 9, 1918 in Laurens County, SC, he was the son of the late Floyd and Aura Walker Godfrey. He was a veteran of the United States Army and served in World War II. "Preacher" Godfrey, as he was affectionately called, began his ministry in 1952, after he surrendered his life to Christ in March, 1951. He was called to preach shortly thereafter, sold his three businesses, using the proceeds to purchase property, and in 1953 established Grace Baptist Church in Simpsonville, SC. He felt the call of God to "plant churches," and left Simpsonville in 1957 to establish Eastside Baptist Church in Greenwood, SC. He was instrumental in helping "plant" many Baptist churches in South Carolina and supporting missionaries as they established churches in various countries around the world. In 1961, "Preacher" Godfrey felt the call to Georgia. He established the first Independent Baptist Church in Valdosta on East Park Avenue. It was relocated and renamed Bemiss Road Baptist Church in 1962. The present church was built in 1966. He also established several Baptist churches in South Georgia. After "Preacher "Godfrey's health issues required him to retire from the full-time preaching, and establishing churches, he was well known for his "Little Book Ministry," which was a vital part of his ministry for 45 years. He published the little books in several languages that were used all over the world and authored several of the titles. "Little Book Ministry" will be continued by "Preacher" Godfrey's sons, Barry and Terry Godfrey. The family wishes to extend their thanks to the friends and community for all the support to our father to help make his ministry a success. He is survived by his daughters and son-in-law, Faye and Rick Setser, and Judi Cronk, all of Valdosta; sons and daughters-in-law, Haskell C. and Sibbie Godfrey of Valdosta, W. Terry and Pam Godfrey of Macon, Daniel K. Godfrey of Panacea, FL, J. Barry and Peggy Godfrey of Valdosta. He is also survived by his grandchildren and their spouses, Richie and Kelle Setser, Faeda Setser Duncan and Ty Duncan, Maurice and Jenny Cronk, Nerissa Warmack, Lorie and Chuck Toplikar, Rachel Cronk, Kellie and Craig Hardeman, Heather and Luke McGee, Wendell and Christine Godfrey, Jonathan and Heather Godfrey, Shannon and Mike Jett, Jordan Godfrey, Jessica Godfrey; 21 great-grandchildren; sisters, Ruby Frances Lyons of Harwood, MD, Mildred Vivian (Warren) Pressley of Gray Court, SC, Mary Bess Paige of Asheville, NC, Raye Louise Caldwell of Ware Shoals, SC; brother, Ferrell Walker(Alice)Godfrey of Gray Court, SC. He is preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, Ada C. Godfrey; sisters, Ellen Oleta Gambrell of Waterloo, SC, Runette Letitia Coker of Greenwood, SC; brother, James Wallace Godfrey of Hodges, SC. Services for "Preacher" Godfrey will be held at 2 P.M. on Saturday, January 23, 2010 at Bemiss Road Baptist Church with Dr. Danny Edwards, Dr. Steve Ward, and Dr. Carroll Joye officiating. Burial will follow at McLane Riverview Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends Friday evening from 6 until 8 p.m. at Carson McLane Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the "Little Book Ministry" c/o Terry Godfrey, P.O. Box 4022, Macon, GA 31208-4022 or Gideons International. Condolences to the family may be conveyed online at www.mclanefuenralservices.com Carson McLane Funeral Home.