Jimmy Glenn Godwin, Sr., affectionately known as “Bubba” to his family, passed on Tuesday, November 2nd, 2021, after a lengthy battle with cancer. Jimmy was 81 years old.
Jimmy was born in Bainbridge in 1940 and graduated from Bainbridge High school in 1958. By 1961, he had earned a degree in electrical engineering from Southern Polytechnic Institute (by way of Georgia Tech). He went on to earn a degree in Physics from Florida State University in 1967. Mr. Godwin had a varied and distinguished career as an electronics engineer, working at Eglin AF Base in Ft. Walton Beach, Florida from 1967-75; Amoco Fabrics (Assistant Plant Engineer) in Bainbridge, GA from 1976-88. In 1989, he and his wife Mary Ann (Pope) moved to Athens, GA where Jim worked at the University of Georgia, in the office of the VP for research, until his retirement in 2002.
The accomplishments of which he was most proud, were outside of work. Jim was a family man. He was a proud older brother to Wayne and Rudy, loving Daddy to Jimmy and Kathie and in later years, doting “Pappy” to Will, Anna, and Mary. He loved playing football in high school and was a linebacker and co-captain (1958) of his HS football team, the Bainbridge Bearcats. He respected his teammates and spoke often and fondly of them and beloved head coach, Spencer Davis. He was an intellect and lifelong learner and in 1972 he earned his pilot’s license. He had a real love for theology and his strong faith led him to be ordained as a deacon in 1985 at Mt. Zion Baptist church (Bainbridge, Ga.) and then later at Milledge Avenue Baptist Church (Athens, Ga.).
Jim is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Mary Ann (Pope) Godwin; daughter Kathie and (Barry) Robinson; grandchildren William, Anna and Mary Robinson; Brothers Wayne and (Donna Lynn) Godwin, Rudy and (Roxanne Barnes) Godwin; nieces and nephews James, Michael and Phillipa Godwin, Michelle Couch, Shannon Godwin, and Mark Pope. He was preceded in death by his beloved son, Jimmy Glenn Godwin, Jr., and his parents, Hilda Catherine Lewis Godwin and James Rudolph Godwin.
A memorial service for friends and family will be held in Bainbridge, Georgia, at Ivey Funeral Home at 11:00 am on Saturday, November 20th. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that Memorial Contributions be made to The Baddour Center, P.O. Box 97, Senatobia, MS 38668.
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Ivey Funeral Home, 502 S. Scott Street, Bainbridge, GA 39819 is in charge of arrangements. 229-246-3232 www.iveyfuneral.com
Jimmy Glenn Godwin, Sr.
My condolences to the family. Rudy was a friend of mine during my childhood.
Dearest Mary Ann and Kathie and family, deepest condolences and I think of ya’ll often🙏