Mary S. Godbold

Our precious and cherished mother, grandmother, great grandmother and great-great grandmother, Mary Slay Godbold, was welcomed into Heaven on February 20, 2014, surrounded by her loving family and friends.

She was born Mary Elizabeth Slay on December 2, 1923 to Sam and Lois in Waynesboro, MS. She attended the University of Alabama until the start of WW2. She raised her daughters in Philadelphia, PA until the death of her husband, Fran Ringer, at which time she moved to Jackson, MS. Over the course of 40+ years, she worked as a bookkeeper at Jackson Steel Company, River Hills Country Club and with Dr. Wallace Weatherly, MD, where she retired at the age of 83.

Mary was a kind and loving mother, grandmother and friend. She loved her family and her church, St. Columb’s Episcopal Church.  She was an avid bridge player, loved to travel and enjoyed family functions. She was always a tower of strength and full of advice, courage and commitment.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Sam and Lois Slay, first husband Francis W. Ringer and  second husband L.W. “Tap” Godbold; sister Sammy Suber, and brothers James “Bud” Slay of Oxford, MS and Glenn Slay. She is survived by her daughters, Carol Murphy (Bill) of Carterville, IL and Mary Ellen Martin; step-son Steve Godbold; brother, Bob Slay of Cary, NC, Ester Earl Slay of Oxford, MS; granddaughters, Elizabeth Fields (Michael), Tricia Edwards (Kevin), Lois Burris (Scott), Molly Holloway (Jim); grandsons, Jerry Martin and Matthew Martin (Linda); great grandchildren, Lacey, Anna and Victoria Fields; Mallori, MacKenzi and Mattheu Edwards; Brandon, Anthony and Whitney Bailey; Blake and Brittany Dismang; Isabelle and Jasper Martin; 4 great-great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews and long-time friend Veda Austin.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to St. Columb’s Episcopal Church (www.stcolumbs.org) or St. Jude Children’s Hospital (www.stjude.org).

There will be a Service on Monday, February 24, 2014 at 11:00am at St. Columb’s Episcopal Church in Ridgeland, MS with visitation starting at 9:30am.