Louise Godwin

LOUISE GODWIN Tupelo - Louise Nanney Godwin, a lifelong Tupelo resident and widely admired civic leader, died peacefully Sunday, July 15, 2012, at her residence. Mrs. Godwin was the widow of the late Chauncey Rivers Godwin, Sr., a prominent manufacturer, entrepreneur and statewide business leader. She was the daughter of the late Mayor James Philip Nanney and Annie McAllister Nanney. Mrs. Godwin grew up in a household fully engaged in the city's business, political, religious and civic life, including recovery from both the Great Depression and the devastating 1936 tornado, which destroyed her family home and required that her father lead government and relief efforts from rented hotel rooms. Mrs. Godwin graduated from Tupelo High School, attended Belhaven College, and graduated from the University of Mississippi. She was an avid fan of Ole Miss Athletics and a strong supporter of the university, remaining very active in the Delta Gamma Sorority. After college, she was employed as a teacher at Lawhon School. She also was a faithful, lifelong member of the First Presbyterian Church (USA), where she taught Sunday School, led the Women of the Church and had been president of the Women of the Church of the Presbytery of St. Andrew, her church's regional governing unit in northern Mississippi. She served as the first female director of the Community Development Foundation, president of the Prairie Girl Scout Council, and she led a special camp for handicapped children at Camp Tik A Witha. She was a 30-year director-emerita of the Tupelo Concert Association, which her late husband headed, and was co-chairman of its annual membership drive. In 1976, Mrs. Godwin was chairman of the extensive events planned and executed by the Tupelo Bicentennial Commission, an organization that oversaw celebration of the nation's 200th birthday in the city. She was president of the North Mississippi Medical Center Auxiliary and a fundraiser for hospital rooms given as memorials and a trustee of the hospital. In 1977, she was named, jointly with her husband, Tupelo Junior Auxiliary's "Citizen of the Year," generally considered the city's highest civic honor. She was a life member of the Tupelo Junior Auxiliary, Mutual Culture Club and member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and board member of the Mississippi Art Commission. Mrs. Godwin was nationally recognized for her work in civic beautification and environmental protection by HANDS and later served as the first chairman of the City Beautification Commission of Tupelo. She was strongly involved in the Tupelo Garden Club and The Garden Clubs of Mississippi serving as past president of both clubs. She initiated the "Avenue of Magnolias" planting project in cooperation with the State Highway Department. Her efforts also led to the planning of a grove of trees in the 45-acre area at the interchange of U.S. Highway 45 and McCullough Boulevard in north Tupelo, being the driving force behind reintroduction of Tupelo Gum Tree, the tree for which Tupelo is named. Her beautification efforts included planting of little leaf lindens, which still grace downtown Tupelo's Main Street, the new entrance signs for the city, and ornamental plantings along the railroad tracks in the heart of downtown. She was dedicated to People Against Litter (PAL), and a lifetime member and founder of Keep Mississippi Beautiful, serving as first chairperson and board chairman for many years. Her effort to widely improve the appearance of public places and spaces led to nationwide honors and friendships. Her love for and advocacy of wildflower planting led to her introduction to the late first lady, Lady Bird Johnson, who was a nationwide advocate of wildflower propagation. Mrs. Godwin received the Mrs. Lyndon B. Johnson Award from the Keep America Beautiful national office. Keep America Beautiful later honored her for 50 years of service on behalf of its causes. Services will be 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 18, 2012, at the First Presbyterian Church of Tupelo, with the Rev. Dr. Thomas P. Groome III and the Rev. Dr. Ron Richardson officiating. Burial will follow in Tupelo Memorial Cemetery. W.E. Pegues Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements. Survivors include her children, son Chauncey Rivers Godwin Jr. (Ann), and daughter Ann Godwin Monaghan (Gil), all of Tupelo, five grandchildren Chauncey Rivers Godwin III (Lindsey), John Philip Godwin (Mary), Andrew (Mac) McAllister Godwin (fiancé Sarra), Louise Nunley Gable (Michael) and William Jackson Nunley. Six great-grandchildren Chauncey Rivers Godwin IV, Jude Garner Godwin, Evelyn Meade Godwin, John Philip Godwin Jr., Afton Louise Gable and Ella Michael Gable. Cousins Margaret McVay Falk of Atlanta, Georgia and Sara McVay of Birmingham Alabama. Several cousins, nieces, nephews and loving caregivers. She was preceded in death by her husband, Chauncey Rivers Godwin, Sr. and her parents James Philip Nanney and Annie McAllister. Pallbearers will be Chauncey Rivers Godwin III, John Philip Godwin, Andrew (Mac) McAllister Godwin, William Jackson Nunley, J. Michael Gable and Dr. J. Paul White. Honorary pallbearers will be Dick Hill, Charles Johnston, Aubrey Patterson, Jack Reed Sr., David Baker, Boyd Yarbrough, Harry Martin, Greg Pirkle, Brian Steger, Former Governor William Winter, Robert Khayat, Barbara Dorr, Sarah Kountouris, Tom Robinson and Bill Lyle. Visitation will be at the First Presbyterian Church sanctuary from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 17, 2012, and from 12:30 p.m. to service time Wednesday. Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church P.O. Box 1725 Tupelo MS. 38802 or Keep Mississippi Beautiful 208 Key Drive, Suite B Madison MS. 39110. Expressions of Sympathy may be left at www.peguesfuneralhome.com