Manuel H Godwin

M.H. graduated from high school in Shreveport, Louisiana. He later attended and graduated from Southern Nazarene University in Bethany, Oklahoma. He went on to receive his Bachelor of Divinity in Kansas City, Missouri, and later earned his Master of Theology.

M.H. owned and operated an H&R Block Tax Service in Fort Smith before moving to Michigan. Later, while living in Kansas City, he continued his career in accounting. In 2015, he retired and returned to Fort Smith.

M.H. was known for always seeing the good in people. He had the gift of conversation and could easily strike up a conversation with anyone. He attended a home church and enjoyed traveling, including taking many cruises. He also loved walking trails and spent many hours exploring them.

M.H. was preceded in death by his parents and his sisters, Eloise Johnson and Omah Godwin.

He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Kathleen Karther Godwin; his children, Byron Godwin and wife Wendy, and Dana Cates; his stepdaughter, Lori Montgomery and husband Russ Williams; nine grandchildren; and his sisters, Madeline Barnhill and husband Randy, Evie Croswell and husband Sonny, and Ruby Faye Gaskins and her partner, Ariel Ramos.

A memorial service honoring M.H.’s life will be held on Friday, March 13, at 3:00 p.m. at Edwards Funeral Home, 201 N. 12th St., Fort Smith, AR 72901. Officiants will be Craig Winquest and Eldon Llarenas. The service will also be livestreamed on the Edwards Funeral Home Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/EdwardsFuneral/