Morrell Godwin

James Morrell Godwin, 89, of Oak Ridge died Wednesday, April 1, 2009, in Tulsa, Okla.

He was born Jan. 8, 1920, on a farm between Jackson and Oak Ridge, son of James Shelton and Daisy Cowan Godwin.

Godwin grew up in a family of 10 children and attended a one-room school called Roberts School for his elementary schooling. After graduating from Jackson High School, Morrell began working at the Jackson Hosiery Mill.

He served his country in World War II as a member of the Army Air Corps. He was a parachute rigger in the 15th Air Force Service Squadron, and was stationed around the Mediterranean, including North Africa, Algeria, Tunisia, Corsica, Sicily and Italy.

He returned to Jackson following the war. He and Maxine Mackey were married July 1, 1952.

After the Jackson Hosiery Mill closed, he worked until retirement at Florsheim Shoe Co. in Cape Girardeau. After retirement, Morrell continued to live and work on his farm. He was a skilled craftsman, carpenter and mechanic. He was devoted to his family and enjoyed spending time in his later years with his grandchildren.

As a boy he attended Gravel Hill Baptist Church and for the remainder of his life was a member of First Baptist Church in Jackson.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Maxine Mackey Godwin; three brothers, Raymond, Woodrow and Lyman Godwin; and three sisters, Mildred Grossman, Hazel Williams and Lela Schlue.

Survivors include two daughters, Linda Godwin (husband Steve Nagel) of Houston, Judy Green (husband John) of Bartlesville, Okla.; five grandchildren, Whitney Nagel, Lauren Nagel, Laura Green, Patrick Green and Kristin Green.

He is also survived by three sisters, Wilma Walker and Mary Belle Headrick of Jackson, Wanda Woodall of St. Charles, Mo.; several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to service time Saturday at Cracraft-Miller Funeral Home in Jackson.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Paul Mason officiating. Burial will be in Russell Heights Cemetery in Jackson with full military honors.