Mary Beth Godfrey's Obituary
Mary Beth Peden Godfrey stepped into her eternal home on September 22, 2025 at her home in Robinson, Texas at the age of 94. It brings great comfort to her family to know she is no longer in pain and living with her Savior.
Mary Beth was born on August 5, 1931, in Marshall, Texas, to Homer Peden, Sr., and Jewell Cearley Peden, where she lived with her parents and four brothers. She attended Marshall schools through high school and, following graduation, took several courses at East Texas Baptist College. She also attended business school in Marshall. While working for the Harrison County Extension Service in Marshall, she met Billie James Godfrey, from Comanche, Texas. They were married on December 20, 1952, and were married for 40 years until his sudden death in 1994.
Through the years, she did clerical work for the Harrison County Agricultural Extension Service, worked as a librarian for Hallsville Independent School District, and worked in various roles at First State Bank of Hallsville. Before her retirement, she did clerical work for what was then BJ Hughes.
While the Marshall/Hallsville area was always “home” to her, in 2013, she moved to Robinson, TX, to be closer to family who could support and care for her.
Living in the Hallsville area for 55 years, she was a faithful member of the First Baptist Church of Hallsville, where she served in various capacities within the church. She made many lifelong friends there, with whom she continued to stay in touch even after moving away. She also continued to support the work of the ministry there. Among her last communications with family was that she wanted to go to church.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Harlan Peden, Homer Peden, and Jack Peden, as well as her husband Billie James Godfrey. She is survived by her sons, Michael and wife Susan of Robinson, TX, David and wife Michelle of South Lake, TX, and Keith Godfrey and Tammie Godfrey of Paul’s Valley, OK. She is survived by grandchildren Jonathan Godfrey, Lauren Gilbert, Trevor Godfrey, Micah Godfrey, Ben Godfrey, and Maxx Godfrey, as well as sixteen great-grandchildren (with the 17th and 18th on the way). Mary Beth is also survived by her brother, Charles Peden of Hallsville, TX, and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Mary Beth was a faithful financial supporter of First Baptist Church of Hallsville, St Jude’s Hospital, Scottish Rite Hospital of Dallas, TX, and Shepherd’s Heart of Waco, TX. Her family requests that any financial tributes be made to First Baptist Church of Hallsville, TX.
A celebration of Mary Beth’s life will be held at First Baptist Church of Hallsville on Friday, September 26, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. with interment following at Hallsville Cemetery under the direction of Rader Funeral Home. Mark Moore, pastor of First Baptist Church of Hallsville, will officiate. A visitation will be held at the First Baptist Church in the sanctuary beginning at noon prior to the service.
Her family would like to express their deep appreciation to all who helped care for her in her final months of life. Right at Home Caregivers and Bluebonnet Hospice Services were exceptionally kind, caring, and loving. This meant a great deal to her and helped make her last months as comfortable as possible. Several of these individuals became like family.
A memorial guestbook may be signed online at www.raderfh.com.
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