Rev. Robert Godfrey

Rev. Robert Franklin Godfrey, 78, of Centerclair Nursing Home, formerly of Jerusalem Road, died Monday, Nov. 16, 2009, in Lexington Memorial Hospital after several years of declining health. A funeral service will be held Wednesday, Nov. 18 at New Jerusalem United Church of Christ with Rev. Butch Conrad officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Rev. Godfrey was born Feb. 1, 1931, in Clark County, Ohio, to George Albert Godfrey and Una Virginia Weaver Godfrey. He graduated from Catawba College and Lancaster Theological Institute. A retired minister, he was a member of New Jerusalem United Church of Christ and served the denomination at Grace Daniels UCC of Lincolnton; Pilgrim UCC of Lexington; Mount Zion UCC of China Grove; and Trinity UCC and Saint Lukes UCC of Virginia. His wife, Elizabeth Nance Ward Godfrey, preceded him in death July 23, 2002. Surviving are a son, Ronald Ervin Godfrey of Salisbury; a daughter, Virginia Louise Godfrey of Morganton; a stepson, Vernon Ward of Lexington; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; one step-great-grandchild; and brothers and sisters. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church.