Jerry Godby

We regret to announce the passing of Mr. Jerry Godby, age 67, of Donalsonville, GA who passed away Friday, May 21, 2010 at his residence. Funeral services for Mr. Godby will be held on Sunday, May 23, 2010 at 4:00 PM at the First Baptist Church in Donalsonville, GA with Rev. Tim Bell and Dr. Ron McCaskill officiating. Interment will follow in Friendship Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Sunday from 2:00-4:00 PM at the church. Mr. Godby was born in Seminole County on September 26, 1942 to the late Archie and Louise Spooner Godby. He graduated from Seminole County High School in 1960. Mr. Godby worked with the Atlanta Police Department before serving in the United States Army for two years. During the time he served in the Army, he was a member of the Honor Guard. Sheriff Godby, as everyone still affectionately calls him even though he retired in December of 2008, ran for the office of Seminole County Sheriff in 1976. After winning this election, he took office in January of 1977 and remained as Sheriff until his retirement in 2008. Mr. Godby was an active member of Donalsonville First Baptist Church where he was a member of the choir and served as a Deacon. He was also a member of the Georgia Sheriffs’ Association where he had served as Regional Vice-President from 1999-2005 and was a retired Sgt. at Arms. Mr. Godby was also an active member of the Donalsonville Lions Club of which he was currently serving as President. Mr. Godby leaves to cherish his memory his wife of 45 years, Linda Godby of Donalsonville, GA; a brother, Lewis Godby and his wife Brenda of Donalsonville, GA; three sisters, Peggy Bankston and her husband Bob, Sylvia James and her husband Marlon both of Donalsonville, GA, and Janice Mann and her husband Roger of Byhalia, MS; as well as several nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, aunts and uncles. He was preceded in death by his parents, Archie and Louise Spooner Godby; sister, Wanda Gail Godby; and brother, Joseph Carl Godby. Active casketbearers will be Tony Godby, Paul Minshew, Todd Hornsby, Blake Hicks, Blayne O’Hearn, Michael Ready, Bradley Grantham, Johnny McMullen, and Danny Cosby. Honorary casketbearers will be the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office and other law enforcement agencies from around the state, as well as members of the Donalsonville Lions Club. Flowers will be accepted or memorial contributions may be made to the Georgia Sheriffs’ Youth Home PO Box 1000 Stockbridge, GA 30281. Evans-Skipper Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.