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Submitted: 5/11/15 • Approved: 5/14/15 • Last Updated: 5/17/15 • R1076166-G1076166-S3
Wyle
July 8, 1894-Oct 7, 1935
Wyle Godbey, aged 41 and widely known young Atkins businessman died at 12:15 p.n. Monday October 8, 1935 following a stroke of apoplexy at 5:30 a.m. and a second stroke at 8:30. He never regained conciousness. Mr. Godbey was stricken in his bath room as he was preparing to go to the store. He had been in declining health for several months and expressed a wish that he did not have to go to work on awakening Monday morning but made his usual preparation to go to his business. He spent several weeks at Hot Springs during the summer in an effort to regain his health but had never given up oan active life, having gone about as usual Sunday.
Mr. Godbey's sudden death came as a shock not only to the immediate family but to his many friends over the county and state. He had taken an active part in all community activities and in civic and political affairs of the county. He was secretary of the Atkins Chamber of commerce. He was an ex-service man, an active member of the American Legion and past commander of the Loyd-Stout Post of Atkins. He was a member of the building committee of the Legion Hut and gave much of his time and energy in getting the building completed. He was secretary of the Federal Farm Loan Association and was recognized as a young man of unusual business ability.
Wyle Godbey was the oldest son of Mr. and Mrs W. N. Godbey . Hw was born July 8, 1894. He was reared in Atkins and enjoyed the friendship of a large circle of friends. He was easy to know easy to like and was always willing to do a good turn for a friend. He was a member of the Christian Church, a 32nd Degree Mason and a Shriner. He is survived by his wife, the former Miss Ora Gamble and 8 children, four of them by a former marriage. The children are, Lynn, Donald, Wyle Jr. Marilyn Jean, Dorothy Ann and Joyce of Atkins and Mrs. Elbert Miller and Wanda Jane Godbey of Augusta Ark; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. N. Godbey: three brothers and two sisters, Riley J. Godbey of Morrilton, Miles and W. N. Godbey Jr; Mrs. D. L. Jordan and Miss Lydia Godbey of Atkins,
All business houses closed for the funeral which was held at the Baptist church at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Rev. Andrew McAllen, pastor of the local Presbyterian church, a close personal friend whom the deceased had requested to preach his funeral, was in charge of the services and was assisted by Rev. A. E. Holloway, pastor of the Methodist Church. Rev. V. C. Neal, Baptist pastor was ill and unable to assist in the services. Rev. R. H. Johnson, Christian minister of Morrilton , was unable to attend.
The services were attended by one of the largest if not the largest crowds ever attending a funeral service here. The casket was dropped with the stars and stripes and surrounded by a profusion of flowers. Every available seat in the church was filled and many stood in the annexes. A group of colored friends occupied the balcony. Members of the Masonic Lodge and Legion attended in a body and the Masons had charge of the service at the drave with attorney C.C. Wait of Russellville delivering the oration. A department of National guardsmen from Arkansas Tech closed the servicees with a military salute and the taps were sounded. Lemley Bros and Shinn and Son of Russellville, fellow members of the undertakers trade, directed funeral arrangements with Shinn and Son providing a cemetery tent for covering the grave during the rain which fell throughout the day.
Pall Bearers were:
Active.
Herbert Nichold, Dardanelle; Dewwy Abernathy, Argyle Emmert, Clarence Hooper, R. D. Duvall, J.M. Barker Jr; Tom McFarland, Morrilton.
Honorary;
J. W. Bailey, Fay Duvall, Elmer Duvall, Roy House, J. E. Ashmore, J. A. Kimberland, E. D. Allmon, Russellville, Frank Reed, Morrilton, ; Dr. E. P. Griffin, J. E. Darr, J. M. Barker Sr., O. H. McCollum, W. L. Mitchell, W. C. Fry, John Rousell, Joe Arts, Tommie Ehemann.
Ora
July 31, 1903-Nov 29, 1997
Ora Godbey 94, of Atkins, Died Saturday Nov 29 at Saint Mary's Regional Medical Center.
Born to the late John H. and Lettie (Ashley) Gamble, she was a retired dorm mother at Arkansas Tech University, she was a member of the Atkins First Baptist Church and the Atkins American Legion Auxilary. She was preceded in death by her husband, Wyle Godbey Sr.; a son Wyle Godbey Jr.; and a grandson Phillip Woodson.
Survivors include her three daughters, Marilyn Woodson of Belleville, Dorthy Wiley of Atkins and Joyce Moore of Hot Springs; a step daughter, Wanda Cariker of Bald Knob; six grandsons, Jim Wiley of Springfield, MO; Andy Wiley of Alma, Kim Woodson of Belleville, Eddie Bradford of Hot Springs, Drew Godbey of Wichita, KS and Dibbrell Godbey of Russellville.; A grandaughter Kathy Patton of Wichita, KS; 14 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren ; grandsons will serve as pallbearers.
Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Atkins First Baptist Church. The Rev Larry Thomas, Rev Johnny Hagan and Rev Robbie Jackson will officiate. Burial will be at the Atkins City Cemetery by Lemley Funeral Service
Contributed on 5/11/15 by bill060
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Record #: 1076166