Nancy Parrish Godwin

Nancy Parrish Godwin passed peacefully at Rex Nursing & Rehabilitation in Raleigh last Thursday, January the 18th. Nancy was born August 28, 1924 to David and Bernie Whitley Parrish. Growing up in Johnston County during the Depression Era she was one of seven brothers and sisters and helped work on the family farm. She married William Lewis Godwin on May 16, 1943 and moved to Raleigh, living across the street from the Governor's Mansion for a time. She worked for Western Union during World War II and then went to cosmetology school where she earned an Associate degree. Nancy and Lewis began a family giving birth to their daughter Patricia and a few years later a son Ronnie. Nancy took care of them at home until they were old enough to go to school and then continued a working career in several fields, eventually finding a place with the state of North Carolina as an administrative assistant to more than fifty doctors. It was while working there that she was inducted into The Order of the Long Leaf Pine Society presented by Governor James Hunt for her outstanding contributions. A church community was always very important to Nancy. Almost 35 years ago Nancy joined a then new church Greystone Baptist in north Raleigh. She became very involved with its community, having served as a deacon, Sunday school teacher for both the youth and adults. However, she really felt a calling to the church's choir where she believed that she could praise the Lord best. The choir community was a passion, where Pepper Choplin led and instructed. She volunteered for the soup kitchen and the clothes closet. Nancy always found ways to reach out to her family, friends and those in need. Nancy was well travelled. With first going on trips with her husband as he was a career long bus driver who drove all over the country. Upon retirement they visited Europe numerous times and with their friends. In their retirement years they also enjoyed spending their time with their children and grandchildren. She always kept her friends and neighbors close. Nancy was an accomplished southern cook and kept her friends and family well fed. Nancy was a perfect example of a southern lady, held to Christian values, who never met a stranger. She follows the love of her life Lewis who died in 2011 after they were married for almost seventy years. She is survived by daughter, Patricia Ann and her husband, Duane Long of Raleigh; son, Ronnie and his wife Jaime Godwin of Wilmington, N.C.; two grandsons, Brooks and his wife Ming Long of Raleigh; Blake and his wife Stephanie Godwin of Apex, and one granddaughter, Piper Godwin of Wilmington, N.C. A funeral service of music and memory will be held at Greystone Baptist Church at 7509 Lead Mine Rd. Raleigh, NC 27615 on Thursday, January 25, 2018 starting at 2:00 pm. Family will greet and welcome visitors from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm at the church. A private family committal will be held at Oakwood Cemetery after the funeral service. The family wishes to thank the management and staff at the Rex Nursing facility for their compassionate care of Nancy for the last few years. The family request In lieu of flowers donations to the Rex Healthcare Foundation, 2500 Blue Ridge Rd, Suite 325 Raleigh NC 27607.

Nancy Parrish Godwin

August 28, 1924 - January 18, 2018