Jackie Godwin

   Jessie (Jackie) Chadderton Godwin died on December 22, 2022 at the age of 96 years.

   Jackie was born in Darien, Connecticut on June 7, 1926, to George and Jessie Chadderton. She grew up in Gloucester, Virginia and attended St. Margaret’s Episcopal School in Tappahannock, Virginia.

   When Jackie was only 17 she met the love of her life, Ed Godwin. They were married a year later on September 11, 1944. When World War II was on the horizon, Ed enlisted in the Army Air Corp and they had been married only 2 weeks when Ed got orders to report to Ellington Field in Texas for navigation training.

   In 1946, when Ed was discharged from the service, he and Jackie decided to settle in Houston. They had two sons, Ned and David. She and Ed enjoyed their five grandchildren and many great grandchildren. She was truly a beloved matriarch of her family and all of her family was truly blessed by her loving spirit and her penchant for sharing whatever was needed at the critical times in her family’s lives. Some times were tragic and most times were joyous. No matter the circumstances, her family could always rely upon a “Memaw” pound cake to get through good times and bad.

   Ed and Jackie were founding members of St. George Episcopal Church and were both active members for over 55 years. Jackie served on the vestry, served twice as Senior Warden, was president of the women’s organization of the church four times, helped start and managed the church resale shop for 35 years and enjoyed serving as chairman of the reception committee of the church. She was on the board of the Episcopal Diocese Church Women, Trustee of St. James House, and the Episcopal Retirement Home in Baytown, Texas.

   Jackie was a member and served as Regent of the Cold Stream Guard Chapter of the Daughters of the British Empire. Jackie was always searching for ways to serve her beloved church and the community.

   She and Ed enjoyed traveling abroad. They especially enjoyed their five trips to Africa for game viewing. She also enjoyed photographing their journeys and was able to produce awesome photographic journals even before modern day electronic photography was available. She enjoyed sharing such photos with her family who are still treasuring those up close and personal safari photos.

   Jackie was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Ed Godwin, her son, David H. Godwin, her grandson, John Chadderton Godwin, and John’s mother, Nancy Godwin.

   She is survived by her son, Edward (Ned) Reddin Godwin, Jr., and wife, Elva Godwin, grandchildren, David Hayes Godwin, Jr.; Shelly Godwin Ratkovich; Edward Reddin Godwin, III, and wife Julia; and Charles Cockrell Godwin, and wife, Amber; great grandchildren, Johnathan Tyler Ratkovich, Jacob Thomas Ratkovich, Jessie Marney Ratkovich, Steven Randall Godwin, Grace Yvonne Godwin, Luke Edward Godwin, Charles Cockrell Godwin, Jr., Nancy Reid Godwin and Warren Edward Godwin.

   Burial will be at the family gravesite in Gatesville, North Carolina on Saturday, April 15^th, at 10:00.