Joseph Maurice Dickerson Godfrey

Joseph Maurice Dickerson Godfrey, 91 of Newark, Maryland passed away at his home on Saturday, March 31, 2007. Mr. Godfrey was born in the family home on the farm in Indiantown, near Snow Hill, to George Elmer Bowers Godfrey and Cora Mae Dickerson Godfrey, on November 18, 1915. He was next to the youngest of eight children. He did carpentry work most of his married life until he went to work at Moore Business Forms in Snow Hill. He retired January 1, 1977, after twenty years. Mr. Godfrey was a member of Mt. Olive United Methodist Church, near Snow Hill, and was a lifetime member of the cemetery committee. In recent years he faithfully attended Bowen United Methodist Church in Newark, where he was a very active member and enjoyed singing in the choir. He was a charter member of the Ruritan Club in Snow Hill, a member of AMSA, and a former member of the Newark Volunteer Fire Company. Mr. Godfrey was an avid sportsman and loved to fish. He was a dedicated family man and he also enjoyed the company of friends. He is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Ruth Marie Webb Godfrey; a daughter, Patricia Godfrey Berdan and her husband Carroll of Newark; two sons, Maurice Dale Godfrey and his wife Joyce of Salisbury and George Lee Godfrey of Newark; three grandchildren, Roy Keith Berdan and his wife JoAnne of Newark, Janet B. Coughlin and her husband Sean of Berlin and Nathaniel Martin Godfrey of Salisbury; two greatgranddaughters; Maria A. Berdan of Ocean View, Delaware and Bambi L. Berdan of Fruitland; a sister, Madeline G. Perdue of Salisbury, and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers; Edward and Vaughn Godfrey and four sisters; Mary Sirman, Maude Shockley, Ethel Cherrix, and Lola Williams. A funeral service will be held Tuesday, April 3, 2007 at 1:00 pm at Bowen United Methodist Church in Newark, Maryland, where family and friends may call from 12:30 to 1:00 pm. Pastor Shirley Evans will officiate. Interment will follow the services at Bowen Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to the Newark Volunteer Fire Company’s Ambulance Fund, P.O. Box 82, Newark, MD 21841 and Coastal Hospice, P.O. Box 1733, Salisbury, MD 21801. Arrangements are being handled by Short Funeral Home in Delmar. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.shortfh.com.

Joseph Maurice Dickerson Godfrey

November 18, 1915 - March 31, 2007