Extracted from the Smithfield Herald (Smithfield, NC)
Tuesday, September 11, 1945

Former Johnston Resident Passes; Funeral Tuesday

BENSON -- John B. Godwin, 68, of Clinton, Route 3, died on Monday morning in Highsmith Hospital in Fayetteville after a brief illness. Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon at 3 o'clock at Trinity Baptist Church near Benson. Interment followed in the Smith cemetery. The services were conducted by the Rev. E. N. Gardner of Henderson, assisted by the Rev. A. L. Benton of Swansboro.

Mr. Godwin was a resident of Johnston county for 60 years, and had lived in Sampson county for the past eight years. He was a member of Marys Chapel Baptist church.

Surviving are his wife, Mrs. Frankie Lee Godwin; two sons, Henry and Bertus, both of the home; four daughters, Mrs. T. B. Barefoot of Clinton, Route 3, Mrs. Gladys Lee of Four Oaks, Route 2, Hazel Godwin of Franklinton and Clinton, Route 3, and Hilda Godwin of Portsmouth, Va., and Clinton, Route 3; one sister, Mrs. Louisa Lawhon of Four Oaks, Route 2, and four grandchildren.