Mr. Leslie Howard Godwin

On Tuesday, January 25, 2022, Leslie Howard Godwin 84, of 702 Cutchin St., Clinton, went to be with the Lord. His physical life ended in Sampson Regional Hospital and his eternal life began. He is now reunited with his wife, Gladys Godwin who departed this earth on December 23, 2021 and son Ricky Godwin who departed this earth on June 24, 2018.

Leslie was the son of the late Joseph Howard Godwin and Nellie Mae Godwin. He was preceded in death by a brother Faison Alexander Godwin in 1938. He was born on July 17,1937 in Sampson County.

Leslie leaves behind to cherish his memories: his daughter, Jennifer Hatcher and husband Eddie Hatcher of Clinton; his two grandchildren, Nichole Mesimer and husband Ryan Mesimer of Greenville, NC, and Ashland Raynor of Clinton and friend David Bazemore of Clinton. He has two great-grandchildren, Adalynn and Maverick Mesimer of Greenville, NC; a brother Kenneth Godwin of Texas; nice Tonya Clapper and husband John Clapper of Clinton; niece Shannon Strause and husband John Strause of Charlotte, Texas; nephew Wayne Pearce of Forest City, NC.

Leslie lived a life connected to the military and railroad. He served 14 years in the National Guard and 12 years in the Army Reserves, for a total of 26 years of service. He served from 1958 to 1984 when he retired.  And he also worked with the CSX railroad and retired from there with 24 ½ years.

Leslie was a man who loved trains and the mountains. He collected various items with trains. He also collected bottles for many years of many types. He also loved family and he loved to talk on the phone with family members and friends, calling them regularly and asking how they are doing.

He was a man who provided for his family through the years. He always gave when there was a need in someone’s life. He also wasn’t a man with many words, but he would always welcome conversation, especially about the military, trains, mountains and family history.

He will be dearly missed, but surely not forgotten. He is at rest now from all the physical pain he has suffered through the years and is no longer in need of medicine or a walker. But can walk freely in the midst of God’s presence.

Funeral service will be held on Sunday January 30, 2022 at 3:00 pm at Royal Hall Funeral Home at 301 McKoy St., Clinton, NC with Dr. Ray Ammons and Rev. Eddie Hatcher officiating. Burial will follow at Springvale Cemetery (also known as Clinton Cemetery). Family will receive friends from 2:00 pm – 2:45 pm, before the funeral service at the funeral home and at other times at Jennifer and Eddie’s home at 30 Northgate Ln., Clinton.

Royal-Hall Funeral Home is honored to serve the Godwin family. 

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