Donna Reese Godwin
1930 - 2012
Donna Reese Godwin
1930 - 2012
Obituary
Guest Book
Donna Godwin Obituary
Born in Texas -- and always proud of it -- Donna spent her early years in Tyler, then Houston; until the emerging Mississippi oil and gas industry lured her Nebraskan-geologist father to Jackson.
During her first year in high school, Donna lived with her folks in the Heidelberg Hotel, walking to Central High School and St. Peter's Cathedral each day. Her parents sent her to Hockaday School in Dallas for her last two years of high school then to Sweet Briar College in Virginia. Donna graduated from Sophie Newcombe College (now a part of Tulane University) with a degree in Fine Arts. She was a lifelong, devoted member of Pi Beta Phi sorority.
Donna met and married George W. Godwin Jr., a 5th-generation Mississippian whose father started Mississippi's first advertising agency. George was destined to influence the state's economic development and assist in the progress of both the city and state, and Donna never neglected to enlighten his path. Donna and George, both only-children, had 6 children who all survive them as do their 23 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren, all spread over 2 countries, 5 states, and 11 cities. To her final breath, she instilled in all her children the need to listen to the Lord, live in the happiness He intended each of them, and to compete in running the good race. This was her life.
Donna was an active supporter of many Jackson social and cultural institutions: New Stage Theatre, the Mississippi Museum of Art, Mississippi Opera, and the Mississippi Symphony. She has long been an active member of the St. Peter's Cathedral parish. But, perhaps the richest experience of all was the many years of hosting of International Ballet Competition judges and contributing to the USA-IBC.
Memorial contributions are welcomed to any of these institutions all of which foster and celebrate artistic and spiritual expression of the unbound spirit.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Margot Holt Gill
October 4, 2012
Mary - Thank you for letting Marilyn Draper Brown know of Donna's death. We all shared many wonderful times in the boarding dept at Hockaday and Donna and George visited Doug and me here in Dallas thru the years, we were at AIDC meetings together, she stayed with me for Hockaday reunions and was a wonderful help in Jackson when our son married a Jackson girl. Have visited with her often in recent years by phone and was concerned that she was no longer answering or returning my calls, but no way to contact any of you 6! Would love to hear from you at [email protected]. All of our good buddies will miss Donna. She was the best!
Marilyn Draper Brown
October 2, 2012
May the comfort of memories soon be greater than the sorrow of your loss
From one of Donna's Hockaday roommates . Marilyn Draper Brown and her Bill.
Debra Hesdorffer Solomon
June 25, 2012
Mary, I am thinking about you and your family at this time. I know that your loss can feel overwhelming. It may not be easy but you will have wonderful memories. Please know that you are in my prayers.
Harlan and Linda Johnson
June 22, 2012
Rhys and the Godwin family, we are very sorry for your loss and hope the memories will soon soften some of the pain you feel in your heart today. The stories we have heard tell how charming and loved she was. Thoughts and prayers go to you during these most difficult times.
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Julie (Taylor) Spurlin
June 16, 2012
Will, so sorry to hear about your mother. Please know you and your family are in my prayers.
Darlene Cadriel
June 13, 2012
Mary, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Ms. Donna was a true Southern Belle!
Sharon (Warwick) Safer
June 13, 2012
Thinking of you, Will, and all of your family at this time.
Nina Hartnett
June 13, 2012
Mary......Sweet Mary...May God bless you and your entire family ..so sorry for your loss....but praise God for your Mom's final journey home...all my love...Nina Hartnett
sheila drumm
June 12, 2012
Mary - our prayers and thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time. God bless and uphold you with courage and strength at this time. (Sheila & Jerry Drumm)
Jay Wiener
June 12, 2012
You have my deepest sympathy.
June 12, 2012
Condolences to the entire Godwin family on the loss of your mother. I passed some great hours in the Godwin home and enjoyed the whole family. My best thoughts are with you. Walter Taylor
Margaret Howard Joynt
June 12, 2012
Will and Godwin Family,
I'm so sorry to hear about your Mother. Her beautiful smile will be missed - she was a lovely presence.
Ward Wolfram
June 12, 2012
My thoughts and prayers are with the Godwin family during this time. I know Will and Gray from playing basketball with them at Church. Will and Gray must have been blessed with a wonderful mother since they are 2 strong men leading Christian centered lives.
June 11, 2012
God is near to those that are broken at heart and those crushed in spirit he saves. God will sustain you and help you to endure.
June 11, 2012
lifelong friends have difficulty in accepting the
inevitable transmission to another level of life.
The reunion of our classmate is profound!
Jo Ann and Eie Bomar
Dolores Martinez
June 11, 2012
Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of your family. I will always remember her for her beautiful accent. The first time I heard her talk I just loved it!
God Bless you all, The Martinez Family
Jeff Bassett
June 11, 2012
To Will and Godwin family: I moved away from Jackson at a young age and remember bits and pieces of my childhood. I have vivid memories, however, of spending weekend nights at the Godwin house and your mother. She was such a kind and classy lady who made such an impression on me I can see her face even now, fifty years later. I wish I could have had another visit with her. Jeff
Bob Grenfell
June 11, 2012
To Will and the entire Godwin family, my thoughts are with you. Your mother was always very friendly and hospitable to me. She was a sweet lady who I will miss.
Clay Richmond
June 11, 2012
My grandparents lived across the street from the Godwins. My sister Mary and I spent many summers with the Godwin family.
Donna was an elegant woman who was always good to us.
John Gaudet
June 11, 2012
Mary and Donald, I am so sorry to hear of your mother's passing. In the years that we grew up together your mom seemed the kindest and most fun loving grown up I had ever encountered. To this day I fondly recall her wonderful laugh and seeing her arrive at St. Richard in, if memory serves me, a yellow Cougar with the convertible top down. Her spirit will be missed but it lives on through her family and friends.
Zoe Brumfield
June 10, 2012
So sorry to hear about Donna's passing. I met her many years ago in her beautiful home at a Pi Beta Phi function and I always remembered her as such a charming, loving person who took others into her heart and home with such grace and dignity, accompanied by a warm and fun-loving spirit. My prayers are with the family in this time of loss.
Zoe (Marty) Brumfield, Pi Beta Phi, USM, ' 74
John Fitzhugh
June 10, 2012
I have many fond memories of being at the Godwind house while growing up. Our love and sympathy to the family.
Jeri (Rosen) Saper
June 10, 2012
Thoughts and prayers are with the entire Godwin family. Enjoy the multitude of wonderful memories Mrs. Godwin has left you with.
Laura Tarbutton
June 10, 2012
I am not sure I can find to the words to say how much Donna meant to our parish family. She was always there when she was able to attend. She participated in so many ways. I will truly miss our fun conversations, and the always present smile and a twinkle in her eyes. Farewell sweet Donna, you will be sorely missed.
The Staff of Wright & Ferguson Funeral Home
June 10, 2012
Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.
Virginia Riley
June 10, 2012
Mrs. Godwin was a very special Mississippian. She will be missed deeply not only for her support in the Jackson arts but also to her contributions to those who knew her. My life is richer for knowing her and I thank you for the times I got to spend with her and her family. My heart goes out to her family. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Donna in St. Peter's Cathedral
June 10, 2012
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350 High Street, Jackson, MS 392020409
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