Marilyn McGown Godfrey

Services for Marilyn McGown Godfrey, 91, who died at Crestview Court in Bryan, Texas, on February 7, 2015, are scheduled for 2:00 P.M. on Wednesday February 11, 2015 at First United Methodist Church in Gladewater, Texas. Visitation will be at the church at 1:00 P.M. prior to the service. Interment will follow at the Lakeview Mausoleum in Longview. The Reverends Dick Dobbins and Nick Sholars will officiate at the service. Larry W. Osborne will assist. A memorial service in Bryan will be at 2:00 P.M. on Thursday, February 12, 2015, at Arbor Oaks Chapel, 2505 E. Villa Maria, with Reverends Rick Sitton, David Henry, and Gary Adams officiating. She was born on August 8, 1923, to Lela (Fallin) and Charles Brooks McGown, Sr. in Mexia, Texas, Mrs. Godfrey graduated from Mexia High School in 1939 and received her bachelor"s degree in music from Sam Houston State University in 1942 and a master"s degree for SHSU in 1948. She was employed by the Cayuga School District, the Mexia School District, and the White Oak School District for seven years. It was during this time that she was selected to sing in the Dallas Starlight Operetta for two summers. Following was a 34 "year employment as an elementary music teacher for the Gladewater School District. In Gladewater she met Wilson Godfrey whom she married March 23, 1951. They enjoyed 55 years of marriage until his death in 2006. Marilyn and Wilson were very involved in many civic, school, and church activities. Marilyn served as president of Gladewater Education Association, was twice named Teacher of the Year for Gladewater. A life member of Texas State Teachers Association, she was a four-year member of the State Executive Board. Also as a member of The National Education Association, she attended many national conventions, serving on the Resolutions Committee and the Task Force on Student Rights and Responsibilities. She loved her many students that she had in her classroom for 41 years, remembering their names and keeping up with their achievements. Her contributions to her beloved First United Methodist Church were many, including being a certified lay speaker, serving as chairman or member of many committees, member and soloist of the choir, pianist for the evening service, and accepting many positions in the Longview District of United Methodist Church. She was a member of Daughters of the American Revolution and was a Regent of Cherokee Tract Chapter. The Mexia Ex-Students Association awarded to her its first Outstanding Alumnus Award. She was an active member of The Federation of Women"s Club, the Gladewater Three Arts Club, the Music Club, and the Lions Club. As a member of The International Delta Kappa Gamma, she was president of the Beta Mu Chapter, member of the State Music Committee, Area Coordinator, and recipient of two State Achievement Awards. Her involvement in The Gladewater Chamber of Commerce included serving as its first woman president and as its Membership Chairman for 25 years. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Wilson, and brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Gordon and Grace Godfrey. Upon the death of her husband, Wilson, Marilyn moved to Bryan where she lived at Waldenbrooke Retirement and later at Crestview Court. She enjoyed spending time with her family, meeting new friends, playing Bingo, and participating in the ukulele band. She was a member of Bryan First United Methodist Church and the Neighborly Sunday School Class. Survivors include her Brother Charles B. "Buddy" McGown, Jr. and his wife Jeane; niece Karen and husband Rudy Loehr; nephew Mike McGown and his wife, Judy; niece, Wanda Reeves. She is also survived by great and great great nephews and nieces; numerous cousins and a host of friends. In lieu of flowers memorials may be sent to the First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 1167, Gladewater, Texas 75647 or Crestview Endowment, 2505 E. Villa Maria, Bryan, Texas 77802 or First United Methodist Church, 506 E 28th Street, Bryan, Texas 77803. The family wishes to thank the residents and staff of Waldenbrooke and Crestview for their friendship and care during Marilyn"s years of residence at Waldenbrooke and Crestview.