Elvin Lewis Godwin

Elvin Lewis “Pete” Godwin was born on November 14, 1933, in the Gillis Mills community of Hardin County, Tennessee, to Lewis Valentine Godwin and Nancy Elizabeth Ward Godwin. On February 4, 2025, he passed from this world into eternal life at the age of 91 years, 2 months and 21 days. 

“Pete,” as he was called by everyone who knew him, grew up in Burnt Church and later moved to the Olivet community of Hardin County.with his twin sister, Evelyn, and his older brothers Buford and Baxter. In 1957, he was drafted into the United States Army, where he served for two years. While serving, he was stationed at Fort Hood, Texas. Pete had the unique experience of serving at Fort Hood alongside Elvis Presley and loved to tell stories of it in later life. Following his discharge he continued his service in the Tennessee National Guard for several years.

He was united in marriage to his lifelong love, Ella Sue Young, on July 24, 1962 in Corinth, Mississippi. Their earthly union lasted almost 62 years. Sue was promoted to heaven on June 1, 2024, and now Pete has joined her for eternity. 

Pete worked at Parris Manufacturing Company and then at Tennessee River Pulp and Paper Co. which later became Packaging Corporation of America. While at PCA, he was a member of the United Paperworkers International Union and served for a time on their Emergency Response Team. He retired from PCA in 1998 but remained busy every day thereafter with some type of project. 

Growing up during the Great Depression, Pete was a firm believer that “necessity is the mother of invention,” he was a master at devising creative solutions to any problem. He was a naturally talented mechanic and used his ingenuity to fix almost anything. After his retirement, he could frequently be found working in his shop on all sorts of projects and tending to his yard and his wife's flower garden. He also loved traveling and being outdoors and spent many enjoyable weekends and vacations camping and fishing with family and friends on Indian Creek.

One of his greatest passions was his antique car. He took great pride in his 1957 Ford and spent many hours meticulously restoring and detailing his prized possession. He also was a life-long collector of many distinctive automobiles and unique items. He found great joy in sharing his love of collecting with his granddaughter, Lilly Grace. 

Pete was a devoted member of Olive Hill Baptist Church for many years. He had a beautiful bass voice and enjoyed Southern Gospel, Classic country and the music of Eddy Arnold and Elvis Presley. He enjoyed attending “southern gospel singings” in his younger years and might even join in on occasion if they needed a bass singer. 

Although he had many hobbies and interests, Pete found the greatest joy in taking care of “his girls:” his wife, Sue; his daughter, Susan; and his granddaughter, Lilly Grace. His love, care, and devotion was felt by each of them every day. 

He is survived by his daughter, Susan Kaye Godwin Patterson and her husband, Bryan, and his beloved granddaughter, Lilly Grace Patterson and his nieces and nephews, of whom he was especially fond. Pete was predeceased by his wife, Ella Sue Young Godwin; his twin sister, Evelyn Lois Godwin Reaves; his brothers, Nelson Baxter Godwin and Buford E. Godwin; and his parents.

Graveside services will be held on Sunday, February 9, at Neill Cemetery in Savannah at 3:00 p.m. Prior to the service, the family will receive friends on Sunday afternoon from 12:30 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. at Shackelford Funeral Directors in Savannah.