Margaret Jean Godwin Stewart

1940 - 2025

Margaret Jean Godwin Stewart

November 18, 1940 - November 1, 2025

It is with deep sadness and loving remembrance that we announce the passing of Margaret Jean Godwin Stewart, 84, of Greensboro, North Carolina. Jean passed away peacefully after her year-long battle with acute myeloid leukemia. At her passing, she was surrounded with love by her daughters and her brother. Jean was a beloved wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Jean's unwavering faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and her deep love for her family defined every part of her life.

Born on November 18,1940, in Fayetteville, North Carolina, to Benjamin Franklin Godwin and Margaret Britt Godwin. Jean graduated from Needham Broughton High School in Raleigh, North Carolina, where she developed lifelong friendships and remained active in class reunions for many years.

On June 14,1959, she married the love of her life, William Garber Stewart. They were married just short of 65 years when he passed in April 2024. Together they built a beautiful life filled with love, laughter, and devotion to their family and faith.

After staying home to raise her daughters, she achieved her dream of becoming a nurse and worked for more than 35 years in the operating room at Moses Cone Hospital. There she made countless cherished memories and lifelong friendships with her fellow nurses.

A faithful member of Friendly Avenue Baptist Church for over 55 years, Jean lived her faith daily through her kindness, generosity, and service to others.

Jean loved Emerald Isle, North Carolina, where she and Bill created a retreat filled with laughter and family where they also enjoyed peace by the ocean.

She also had a passion for gardening. She loved "digging in the dirt " tending to her flowers, and watching her hydrangeas turn a beautiful pink each spring. She often said it was her therapy and those who knew her could see the joy it brought her.

Jean was predeceased in death by her parents and her husband; stepmother, Billy Dunn Godwin of Raleigh; and her sister, Nancy Elizabeth Godwin Gargis of Newton, North Carolina.

She is survived by her daughters, Kelly Creed and Paige Stafford (Stan); her brother, Al Godwin (Karen); brother-in-law, James Gargis; grandchildren, Caleb (Claire), Jesse (Maren), and Jacob (Leah) Creed, Hannah (Charles) Porter, Wesley Stafford and Will (Jordan) Stafford; and great-grandchildren Brayden, Sadie, and Ryker Stafford, Atlas, Ozzie, Charley, and Wren Creed, and Margaret Porter. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews who dearly loved their Aunt Jean.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, November 15, 2025, at Friendly Avenue Baptist Church in Greensboro with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. followed by the service at 11:00a.m.

The family would like to personally thank Dr. Timothy Pardee, Sarah Drell, NP, and all of the caring, compassionate nurses of the Wake Forest Baptist Cancer Center. We could not have received better care for her, and for that, we are deeply thankful. We also wish to thank the caring staff of Beacon Place and Hospice & Palliative Care of Greensboro for helping her and our family through her last days.

Jean's life was a beautiful example of grace, faith, and love. Her legacy will continue to live on in the hearts of all who were blessed to know her. May you rest in peace, dear Jean, surrounded by the love you so freely gave.

Memorial contributions can be made to Friendly Avenue Baptist Church at 4800 West Friendly Avenue, Greensboro, NC 27410 or to AuthoraCare Hospice Services at 2500 Summit Avenue, Greensboro, NC 27405.