Mary Elizabeth Heffington Godfrey's Obituary
Mary Elizabeth Heffington Godfrey, age 85, of Dallas, TX, was welcomed into the arms of Jesus on Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and friend.Mary was born in Dallas on Aug. 21,1933, to James Carroll Heffington and Mary Elizabeth Warmath Heffington. Mary was an only child and was raised by her loving mother after her father passed away when she was four years of age.Mary grew up in the Greenland Hills area of Dallas, now known as the “M” streets. She graduated from North Dallas High School in January 1951. Following in her father’s footsteps, she attended Baylor University and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in May, 1954, with a desire to teach children. Mary completed her education with a Master’s Degree in Education from North Texas State University in August, 1958.Mary spent most of her teaching career at Dan D. Rogers Elementary school in Dallas teaching 3rd-4th graders. She was active in her teaching sorority for many years even after retiring from teaching in 1964.Mary grew up at First Baptist Church, Dallas and was a life-long member. She accepted Christ as her savior and was baptized by Dr. George Truett when she was 10 years old. With Mary’s love of teaching children, she continued teaching Sunday School at First Baptist for over 25 years.Mary met Aubrey Godfrey, Jr., at First Baptist Church and they were married for over 52 years. They raised their two daughters, Martha and Cathy, in the Kessler Park area of Dallas. After the girls went to college she was a substitute teacher until her first granddaughter was born, when she finally retired for good to enjoy time with her grandchildren.Mary and Aubrey were directors of 6th grade department at First Baptist Church Dallas for many years. They had been a part of the President’s Sunday school Class since 1988.After their girls married and had children, Mary and Aubrey enjoyed being a part of her grandchildren’s lives and watching them grow up. They also enjoyed time with family at their lake house making memories.Mary enjoyed traveling and before they were married she spent a summer taking graduate classes in Hawaii. She traveled with Aubrey as they attended medical meetings and had many wonderful trips together with different medical organizations and First Baptist groups.Mary is preceded in death by her husband, Aubrey, her parents, Mary Elizabeth and JC Heffington. Mary is survived by her daughters: Martha Ryan, and her husband, Pat, and granddaughters, Becca and Rachel; Cathy Holmes, and her husband, Russ, and grandchildren, Sarah and Tyler.A Graveside service will be Friday, Jan. 4 at 10 a.m. at Restland. A Memorial service will be held to celebrate her life on Jan. 4 at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church Dallas in the Truett Chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: First Baptist Academy, Criswell College, American Heart Association, or a charity of your choice.The family is grateful for the amazing staff at The Traditions Assisted Living and for their care and compassion over the last 2 years as well as her doctors and the staff at Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas.
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