Pastor DeLawrence Asberry Godfrey, age 72 of 1109 Spring Street, Eagle Rock, Virginia, transitioned from this life to his Heavenly home on Thursday, August 29, 2019 from his residence.
Born September 13, 1946 in Eagle Rock, Pastor Godfrey was the 4th of 8 children of the late Asberry Godfrey and Bernice Burks Godfrey. He received his early childhood education in the Botetourt County Public School System, and joined the United States Army in 1967. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War and while in service to his country, was awarded the Bronze Star in June of 1969. He was honorably discharged in July 1973. After his return from Vietnam, Pastor Godfrey then started working within the Alleghany County area of Virginia at W. T. Grants and CXS Transportation, from where he retired in 2005 as a Machine Operator.
Shortly after coming home from the military in 1969, he met and later married the Ms. Myra Olivia Davis on March 28, 1970. Pastor Godfrey received the Lord in 1975 during his “7/11 Experience”. In March of 1982, he received his minister’s license under the leadership of Pastor Justice C. Sandidge. During this time, Pastor Godfrey served as the Church’s Youth Director, Sunday School Teacher, Y.P.W.W. Leader, and taught weekly Bible Study classes. In the year of 1990, the Lord bestowed upon him an appointment within the body of Christ, his Elder’s License. In 1998, Pastor Godfrey was installed as Pastor at Jackson Memorial Church of God in Christ where he has been the shepherd for the last 21 years.
Pastor Godfrey attended Dabney S. Lancaster Community College where he majored in Business Management and Liberty University where he majored in Biblical and Educational Studies. He also served his local community in such areas as the President of the Botetourt Improvement Association, Sunday School Superintendent for the Covington District of the 2nd Jurisdiction of VA in COGIC, President of the Iron Gate Association of Churches, Iron Gate Water Company, and Founder of Rest from Your Stress Outreach Ministries.
In addition to his parents, Asberry and Bernice Godfrey, he was preceded in death by a brother, Robert Godfrey and his wife Lorraine; two sisters, Virginia G. Sandidge and Pearlie G. Sandidge; and one niece, Debra G. Cooper.
Left to cherish his memory is his wife of 49 years, Myra Davis Godfrey; three daughters, Dionne Ingram and husband Larry of Pickerington, OH, Robinn L. Johnson of Hyattsville, MD and her mother, Cathy Wiley of Covington, and Yolanda M. Godfrey and companion Tony Thornhill of Vinton; five grandchildren, Larry Ingram II of Houston, TX, Ja’Monta Gaines of Orlando, FL, Samuel D. Ingram of Houston, TX, Olivia Ingram of Pickerington, OH, and Damarius Ingram of Cleveland, OH; a sister, Kathleen Robinson and husband Lloyd of Clifton Forge; three brothers, Bruce Godfrey and wife Cynthia of Clifton Forge, Arthur Godfrey and wife Jean of Clifton Forge, and Steve Godfrey of Iron Gate; an uncle, Paul Beverly of Iron Gate; and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends, including a special friend, Elder Norman Thomas .
A funeral service will be held on Thursday, September 5, 2019 at 1:00 PM at the Gospel Tabernacle Church of God in Christ, Covington with Eulogist, Bishop Ronald A. Watson and Officiant, Assistant Superintendent Leon Taylor. Entombment will immediately follow in the mausoleum of Alleghany Memorial Park, Low Moor. Pallbearers will be Jeff Robinson, James Robinson, Calvin Robinson, Ray Robinson, Jr., Jeffrey Sandidge, and Vincent Cooper. Cryptside military honors will be provided by members of the Curtis A. Smith VFW Post #1033.
His family will receive friends on Wednesday evening from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge.
Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge is handling the arrangements.
The family suggests memorial tributes take the form of contributions to Jackson Memorial C.O.G.I.C., PO Box 43, Iron Gate, VA 24448.