Edsel Taylor Godbey

Edsel Taylor Godbey died on June 15, 2022 at the age of 93. He maintained his elegance, intelligence, athleticism and wit until his final days. He had ten brothers and sisters all born in rural Casey County, Kentucky, to parents who valued education. His height and athletic talent combined to turn him into that vaunted of all Kentucky youth—a high school basketball star. Off the court, his intellectual prowess proved more impressive. He earned a full academic scholarship to Berea College where he served as President of the student body. He was wise and not just smart, so he understood that his greatest collegiate triumph was winning the hand in marriage of fellow scholarship student and all around dynamo Lois “Sue” Carroll. They were married—and held hands—for more than 70 years. The only event rude enough to stop them was her death, just a few months ago. Exactly no one was surprised when he quickly followed.

After college, the U.S. Army called Edsel to France where, among other duties, he taught military law. Upon their return, the newlyweds completed their advanced degrees at the University of Kentucky. Edsel’s Ph.D. dissertation was published and remained in print for many years. At the age of 28, he became the first President of what is now known as Southeast Kentucky College in Cumberland, Kentucky.

Edsel and Sue never forgot their roots nor their obligation to pay their scholarships forward. They funded creation of the Godbey Appalachian Center at the College and endowed a scholarship to train teachers intent on teaching in Appalachian schools.

In the 1960s, Edsel moved his family to Atlanta to focus on civil rights in education. He was the inaugural Director of the Education Improvement Program of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. His mission was to help obtain and maintain accreditation for HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities). A gifted public speaker, he delivered the commencement address at multiple HBCUs and received honorary degrees from three.

He was a man of splendid contrasts: a lifelong teetotaler who mixed signature Mint Juleps for his friends, a voracious reader of nonfiction fond of telling tall tales with perfect comedic timing. He never left Kentucky until adulthood, but later filled four passports. His intellectual and athletic gifts enabled him to balance a dedication to professionalism during the workweek, with enthusiastic pursuit of hobbies on the weekends. On Friday nights, his nickname at the poker table was “Shark.” An effortless card counter, he enjoyed predictably favorable results. He was eventually banned from the neighborhood trivia games. Even after trying “Edsel versus the field,” it quickly became clear that the field didn’t stand a chance. His favorite pastime was golf. He was most proud of two stats: three years in a row, he shot below his age (74, 75 and 76) and six magical times he carded a hole-in-one. What

was more important yet impossible to count were all the jokes on all the holes on all the Saturdays enjoyed with all his fellow raconteurs.

Above all, he adored his family. Survivors include, as he was fond of referring to them, “his prize children and grandchildren,” son Patrick Edsel Taylor Godbey, M.D. (Donna), daughter Judge Lisa Godbey Wood (Richard), all of St. Simons Island, grandchildren Elizabeth Godbey, M.D., of Richmond, Virginia, as well as twins Katherine and Lachlan Wood of Athens, Georgia. Surviving, too, are his beloved “baby” sisters Shirley Vaught and Barbara Cox of Kentucky and (as might be expected of a man with ten siblings) many, many, many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

A memorial service is planned at the family’s Bethelridge, Kentucky graveyard. Those wishing to send remembrances are invited to make a contribution to the “Sue Godbey Scholarship Fund” c/o Southeast Education Foundation, 700 College Road, Cumberland, Kentucky 40823.

The family wishes to thank caregivers Helen Hartenstein of BrightStar and the staff at Vitality for their professional and loving care.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.edomillerandsons.com for the Godbey family.