Frances Mae Metz Godwin went to heaven peacefully in her sleep on May 12, 2022, at St. Andrew’s of Francis Place in Eureka, Missouri. She had moved from Poplar Bluff in 2016 to live with two of her daughters in Cedar Hill.
Frances was born Aug. 13, 1924, in Poplar Bluff to Lynn Thomas and Columbia Martin Metz, Sr. She was the sixth of their seven children.
She was a 1941 graduate of Poplar Bluff High School, attended Park College, and was a graduate of the University of Missouri, Columbia, earning her BSED in Home Economics.
Frances and George (“Torchy”) Orville Godwin were married Nov. 26, 1947, at the First Presbyterian Church in Poplar Bluff. They were the parents of four daughters: Nancy (Rob) Bohle of Cedar Hill; Susan (Fred) Missey of Warrensburg; Judy (Curt) Viehland of Cedar Hill; and Sally (John) Gragg of Poplar Bluff.
The Godwins were career educators. Her heart was with kindergarten and first grade children when she taught in Valley Park, Antonio, Dittmer, and House Springs.
“Torchy” died in April 1979. In 1986, Frances moved back to her home town.
Frances was an active member of First Presbyterian Church where she was an ordained elder, choir member, leader of the Presbyterian women’s groups, and teacher of kindergarten classes. For many years, Frances opened the church by 7 a.m., praying at each pew, the pulpit, the choir loft, and each room, also making sure all the lights were on. She made the coffee, readied the kitchen for fellowship hour, and went on to Sunday School.
For many years, she was a volunteer at Lucy Lee Hospital (now PBRMC).
In addition to her husband, she is proceeded in death by her parents, her siblings L.T. Metz, Jr., Gene Metz, Margaret Cotrell, Rose McDaniel, Mary Crowe Carter, and USAF Col. James Metz, and two nieces, Ann Crowe Essig and Maryjeanne Crowe Crawford, and a nephew, Harry Ferguson.
In addition to her daughters, she is survived by nine grandchildren: Christine Missey (Tony) Roop, Tony (Chris) Viehland, Angela Missey (Dan) Hatch, Susan Bohle, Tracey Viehland (Jeff) Borgmeyer, Jason (Liz) Missey, Ryan Bohle, Seth (Leslie) Gragg, and Adam Gragg; 16 great-grandchildren: Brady, Cody, Nicole, Nick, Emma, Sophia, Milo, Noah, Jill, Sophie, Jenna, Lucas, Austin, Piper, Jack, and Remington; four great-great-grandchildren; Melaina, Davina, Tessa, and Emerson.
Frances Godwin loved her Savior and was a faithful woman of prayer. Her final prayer, to go home to Jesus in her sleep, has been answered.
Visitation will be 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 21, 2022, at St. Martin’s United Church of Christ in Dittmer, Missouri. Service will begin at 1 p.m. and graveside will follow at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Cedar Hill, Missouri.
Contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, St. Martin’s United Church of Christ choir fund in Dittmer, or the First United Methodist Church choir fund in Poplar Bluff.
Family and friends can review and share stories, photos and condolences online at www.stlfuneral.com and follow details of this event and others in the community at www.facebook.com/stlchapelhill.