Sandra Williford Godwin

FRANKLIN, VA - Sandra Williford Godwin, age 78, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at her daughter's home in Ahoskie, North Carolina. Sandra was born on June 16, 1947, in Windsor, North Carolina, to the late William Tell Williford and Dorothy Rae Rogerson Williford.

A graduate of Bertie High School in 1965, Sandra married the love of her life, Stanley Sherwood Godwin and they were blessed with three children. Together, they worked diligently on their family farm in Hertford County for 20 years. In pursuit of creating a better life for their family, in 1987, Sandra and Sherwood ventured into the family meat business that was opened in 1971 by Stanley and Margaret Godwin, Godwin's Country Meats. Their hard work and dedication turned the business into a thriving legacy, which they later entrusted to their daughter Jeana and her family when they retired in 2006.

In retirement, Sandra and Sherwood embraced life, traveling cross-country in their RV and enjoying adventures together. Despite the challenges encountered on these journeys, which she humorously referred to as "ruined vacations," instead of RV adventures, they loved riding their trike motorcycles, enjoyed going gambling, traveling to the beach to visit her dad, going out dancing, just enjoying their time together. They made lasting memories that were cherished for many years.

Sandra cherished her family above all else, especially her grandchildren and great-granddaughter. She often expressed gratitude for the time she could spend with them during her golden years, a luxury she did not have while raising her own children due to work commitments.

Preceded in death by her beloved husband Sherwood, her parents, and her brother William Tell Williford, Jr., Sandra is survived by her daughter, Jeana Cowan and husband Brad of Ahoskie, her sons, Mark William Godwin and wife April of Ahoskie, and Stanley "Stan" Sherwood Godwin, Jr. and wife Deborah of Alvarado, TX. She also leaves behind cherished grandchildren: Slade Godwin Cowan and wife Baylee, Kaitlynn Jean Godwin, Kristen Emma Godwin, all of Ahoskie, Stanley Sherwood Godwin, III of Burleson, TX, Sherwood "Wood" Gray Godwin of Alvarado, TX, and her precious great-granddaughter Stella Rae Cowan. Her sister, Jacqulyn Ann Williford Manning of Rich Square, NC, survives her as well.

The family would like to express a heartfelt thank you to Cindy Jenkins, Nina Laxton, and Gentiva Hospice for the love and care shown to Sandra during her illness.

Family and friends will gather to celebrate Sandra's life on Friday evening, March 20, 2026, from 6:00 to 7:30 PM at Garrett-Sykes Funeral Service, Murfreesboro, NC.

Online condolences can be made at www.garrettsykesfs.com. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Garrett-Sykes Funeral Service, Murfreesboro, NC.