Rev. Tom Godwin

The Rev. Lowell Thomas "Tom" Godwin, 85, of Cape Girardeau, formerly of Bertrand, died Friday, May 17, 2024, at Landmark Hospital.

Born July 26, 1938, in Sikeston to Willis L. and Ruth S. Brashears Godwin, Tom grew up in the St. Louis area and graduated from O’Fallon Technical College. He was drafted into the U.S. Army and served during the Vietnam era, working as a machinist. He would go on to work as a machinist for a number of years, retiring from Sikeston Power Plant.

At an early age, he was called into the Apostolic Pentecostal Ministry and pastored churches throughout the state until his retirement in 2018.

On May 14, 1966, he married Laverne Elaine Dancer, who survives of the home in Cape Girardeau.

Also surviving are his daughter, Sarah (John) Ruedrich, and son, Samuel (Holly) Godwin, both of Cape Girardeau; his grandchildren, John Ruedrich II, Joshua (Dikota) Ruedrich and Kristen (Danny) Copeland; three great-grandchildren, Jaxon, Angelina and Zaxton; a great-granddaughter, Felicity, due to arrive in July; his godson, Thomas Coram; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

In addition to his parents, Tom was preceded in death by his son, Tommy Godwin; and his brothers and sisters, Elwanda Godwin, Mary Ellen Bradshaw, Alfred "Jack" Godwin and Jimmy Ray Godwin.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 21, at McMikle Funeral Home in Sikeston, where a funeral service will be conducted at noon Wednesday, May 22.

Interment, with full military honors, will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery in Sikeston.

Online condolences may be shared at www.mcmiklefuneralhome.com.