Shirley Godwin Jones

Shirley Godwin Jones, 87, of Willow Spring, North Carolina, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday, September 11, 2022, surrounded by her four daughters.

She was the daughter of Howard Arthur Godwin and Pearl Johnson Godwin of Garner. Shirley was a 1953 graduate of Garner Senior High School and obtained a secretarial certificate, before joining Peden Steel Company. In 1954, she married Bill Lee Jones, of Willow Spring, NC, and they left for the island of Guam a few months later, where they joined his brothers in business. After four years working in the family business, Shirley then devoted her time to raising a family and to dedicating her life to service for the Lord, her church, and community. With a heart and devotion to helping others, she was active in the Red Cross, the American Cancer Society, the Guam Women’s Club, the Guam Christian Women’s Club, as a hospital volunteer, and serving on local school boards. She served at Bayview Baptist Church, on Guam, on various committees and taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. She was beloved for her genuine love for all, her open heart, and her open home. After 34 years on Guam, she and her husband retired back to North Carolina, where they enjoyed travel and spending time with grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She attended and was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Raleigh.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 17, at 4:00 p.m. at Mount Zion United Methodist Church, 15772 NC-50, Garner, NC 27529. Burial will follow at Mount Zion United Methodist Church Cemetery.

Shirley is preceded in death by Bill, her husband of 57 years; parents, Howard and Pearl Godwin; brother, Ray Godwin; brother, David Godwin; brother-in-law, Elton Jones; sister-in-law, Rachel Godwin; son-in-law, Stephen Murfin; grandson, Jeremy Murfin; grandson, Daniel Wright; nephew, Lanny Ross Jones; nephew, Gary Jones; and nephew, Tommy Godwin.

She will be lovingly remembered and deeply missed by her sister, Jean Godwin Jones, of Fuquay-Varina; four daughters, Teresa and husband, Todd Jackson, of Willow Spring; Denise and husband, Jim Haughney, of Willow Spring; Beverly and husband, Greg Hamrick, of Canton, Georgia; Lori and husband, Dan Wagner, of Willow Spring; grandchildren, Tim Murfin of Willow Spring; Michael Murfin and wife, Marcie, of Garner; Deanna Thomas and husband, Reece, of Fuquay-Varina, Rebecca Wright of Des Moines, Iowa, Jennifer Hamrick of Canton, Georgia, Jessica Reeves and husband, Cameron of Buford, Georgia, Brandon Hamrick of Canton, Georgia, Will Haughney and wife, Dana of New Jersey, Susan Haughney and husband, Jason Scimeca of Raleigh, great-grandchildren, Joshua and William Murfin of Willow Spring, Avaleigh and Noah Murfin of Garner, Leyna and Tristan Thomas of Fuquay-Varina, Aiden and Kylie Thompson of Canton, Georgia, Lleyton, Presley, and Carson Reeves of Buford, Georgia; Abby and Sam Haughney of New Jersey, and many beloved nieces and nephews in the U.S. and Guam.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Calvary Raleigh Church at 7900 Ten-Ten Road, Raleigh, NC 27603 or online at calvaryraleigh.com or Mount Zion United Methodist Church, 15772 NC-50, Garner, NC 27529 or online at mountzion-umc.org.