Franklin Donald Godby went to be with his daughter and many loved ones in the early morning hours of Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023, at Roanoke Memorial Hospital.
He was born Feb. 18, 1939, in Sutton, WV, the son of the late Frank Ray and Minnie Shaffer Godby.
Frank attended Alderson High School. He joined the Air Force at 17 and was stationed in Alaska and Kansas. While stationed in the service, he attended Washburn University. After his time in the military, he attended Potomac State College and went to and graduated from Concord College. On Dec. 20, 1961, he married Mary Copeland Godby. They started building their family in Arlington, VA, where he worked for Retail Credit and Arlington Detective and Security, a company he eventually purchased and ran. After the death of his father-in-law, they moved back to the Greenbrier Valley where he ran Copeland Chevrolet-Oldsmobile and Frank Godby Chevrolet. He later purchased Frank’s Gun and Pawn, which he ran for many years.
Mr. Godby was preceded in death by his daughter, Sara Elizabeth “Becky” Godby; two infant brothers, Robert Bruce Godby and Joseph Benson Godby; brother, Henry Ray Godby; sister, Lavonne Godby Miller; brother, John Russell Godby; father-in-law, Robert “Bob” Copeland, and mother-in-law, Mamie Conger Copeland.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Mary; sons, Robert Franklin and wife Kelly, James Benson and companion Jamie Baker, Joseph Scott and companion Drue Noland, Carl Estil, and Samuel David and wife Tracy; grandchildren, Tracy Shambaugh and husband Josh, Sarah Godby, Franklin Godby and wife Tiffany, Rosemary Godby, Thomas Godby, William Godby, and James Godby; great-grandchildren, Jackson and Jude Shambaugh, and Briar, Jameson, and Finley Godby; brothers, Dana Godby and his wife Doris and Dave Godby and his wife Jane; sisters, Ruth Thompson and her husband Gary and Glenna Adams and her husband Dick; many beloved nieces and nephews, and special family friend, Carolyn Bryant.
Frank was extremely generous and always willing to give all he had to those in need. He enjoyed farming and was an avid gardener. He loved playing and watching sports and spending time with his treasured grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Visitation was held at Wallace & Wallace Funeral Home in Lewisburg on Sunday, Sept. 24, with a memorial service after. Pastor Derek Hall officiated the service.
Wallace & Wallace Funeral Home in Lewisburg is in charge of arrangements. Please send online condolences by visiting www.WallaceandWallaceFH.com.
