Jean Cartwright

Jean Carolyn Godfrey Cartwright, age 88, of Elizabeth City, NC, passed into the loving arms of her Lord and Savior on Saturday, December 6, 2025. Born in Perquimans County, on May 16, 1937, to the late Carra Ward Godfrey and Abraham Lincoln Godfrey, Sr., she was the youngest of nine siblings. Jean married Edward Lee Cartwright, Sr. on January 7, 1956. She worked as an operator for the Carolina Telephone Company and also worked as a seamstress/salesperson at the Bride and Groom Bridal Shop. Jean was the first M.C. for the annual Bridal Expo. She gave back to the community as a volunteer at Albemarle Hospital. However, her most rewarding job was that of a homemaker for her family. As a longtime member of Berea Baptist Church, Jean was part of the T. E. L. Sunday School class and the leader of the Children's Church.
In addition to her husband, Edward, she is survived by a daughter, Renee Davenport (Michael) of Manteo, NC and a son, Edward Lee Cartwright, Jr. (Lisa); six grandchildren, Hannah Magee (Todd), Dana Davenport (Cory), Jamie Davenport, Pamela Familar (Justin), Nicole Hudson (Riley), and Matthew Cartwright (Rachel); and twelve great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sisters-in-law, Doris Godfrey and Shirley Clark. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by seven sisters, Katherine Byrum, Daphne Lane, Agnes Ivey, Gizelda Gurkins, Betty Matthews, Frances Spivey, and Marie Deal, as well as, two brothers, Abraham Lincoln Godfrey and Aulton Godfrey.
The family would like to thank their wonderful caretaker, Serena Harshbarger and special niece, Nancy Winslow, for their loving care and assistance through the years.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 11, 2025, at Twiford Memorial Chapel with Pastor Jason Wise officiating. The family will greet friends following the service. A visitation will be held from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, also at Twiford Memorial Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Jean's name to Alzheimer's Association Eastern North Carolina Chapter (www.alz.org/nc), 4600 Park Road, Suite 250, Charlotte, NC 28209.
Twiford Funeral Homes, 405 E. Church Street, Elizabeth City, NC, is serving the Cartwright Family. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.TwifordFH.com. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Jean, please visit our floral store.