Reverend John Thomas Godfrey, age 86, of Ellenboro, NC, went home to be with The Lord on Tuesday, August 3, 2021 at Wendover Hospice House in Shelby, NC.

He was the son to the late Charlie and Clara Harmon Godfrey and a native of Rutherford County. John was a salesman for Lutz Furniture in Shelby, NC before being called to preach. He pastored at Gray's Creek Baptist Church, Coopers Gap Baptist Church, State Line Baptist Church, Race Path Baptist Church and High Shoal Baptist Church, plus many interim positions. John was a loving husband, father, grandfather and brother, but most of all he was a good and faithful servant to The Lord. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother Charles Godfrey and two sisters; Virl Davis and Opal Johnson.

John is survived by his wife of sixty-six years, Helen Melton Godfrey, two daughters; Terry Smith (John) and Leslie Godfrey Clay (Jim), five grandchildren; Wesley Smith (Bonnie), Erik (Meredith), Madison Mace, Jay Clay (Lacey) and Chelsea Pike (Dylan), three great grandchildren; Avery Smith, Abigail Smith and Greyson Smith.

The family will receive friends from 6pm to 8pm on Friday, August 6, 2021 in the sanctuary of Race Path Baptist Church in Ellenboro, NC. The funeral Service will be at 2pm on Saturday, August 7, 2021 at Race Path Baptist Church with Reverend Randall Cooper, Reverend Shane Adkins, Reverend Wesley Smith and Reverend Eugene Passmore officiating. Interment will be in the Race Path Baptist Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family request memorial donations be sent to Hospice of Cleveland County, NC or to Gideons International. The family also request that masks be worn for anyone attending the visitation or the funeral. Online condolences may be made towww.eggersfuneralhome.com. Eggers Funeral Home of Cliffside, NC is serving the family.