Letha Jane Godfrey

She was the youngest of nine children and grew up in Charleston, where music became a lifelong passion. Gifted with a beautiful soprano voice, she sang solos in church and school and conducted a women’s choir. She also played the piano and shared her love of music with those around her.

She attended Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina, where she studied music, and soon chose to dedicate herself to raising her family. During these years, she lived in Ohio, Brooklyn, New York, and ultimately Parma, Ohio, where she spent 18 years raising her three children. She was a faithful member of Parma-South Presbyterian Church and a devoted mother. She loved sewing and made beautiful clothes for her family, and she was known as a wonderful cook. She continued to nurture music in the home, teaching her children piano and inspiring a lasting appreciation for it.

In 1978, she returned to Charleston to be near her extended family and began an entirely new chapter. She entered the apprentice program at the Charleston Naval Shipyard as a machinist—one of only two women in a class of men. She took great pride in her work, contributing to the refitting of nuclear submarines. Her mechanical skills carried over into her personal life, where she tackled home projects with confidence and skill. She later transitioned into an office role at the naval base.

While working full time, she attended evening classes at the College of Charleston and earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 1988, graduating magna cum laude—a remarkable accomplishment that reflected her determination and discipline.

After the shipyard closed in 1996, she continued working as a secretary at The Citadel and later in the Dean’s Office at the College of Charleston until her retirement in 2003.

Following retirement, she moved to Houston, Texas, to be near her family. She was a devoted grandmother, actively involved in the lives of her grandchildren—driving, babysitting, sewing, and hosting weekly Thursday dinners that became a cherished family tradition.

She was a faithful member of Kingwood First Baptist Church, where she served in the library, participated in Bible studies, and volunteered with Vacation Bible School. She enjoyed playing games such as bridge, hand and foot, and bunco, and especially loved family chicken foot game nights.

An avid gardener and skilled homemaker, she transformed her house into a warm and welcoming home, often completing renovations herself—sewing curtains, painting, and installing cabinets.

She also loved to travel and took many trips with her children and their families. She had a particular interest in geology and enjoyed visiting places where she could learn about unique rock formations.

Letha was known for her witty and sometimes sarcastic sense of humor. She was always willing to help a family member or friend in need and remained a strong and faithful believer in God throughout her life. She faced life’s challenges with resilience and grace, serving as a role model of independence, self-reliance, and frugality. Her influence on her family will be felt for generations.

Above all, she was a loving, dedicated, and dependable mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend.

She is survived by her three children: Susan Cleverly of Kingwood, Texas; Phil Cleverly and his wife Keri of Moorpark, California; and Scott Cleverly and his wife Abby of Kingwood, Texas; as well as 10 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, and her sister, Frances Knight of Charleston, South Carolina.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to organizations she faithfully supported, including Samaritan’s Purse, Boys Town, Star of Hope, the Salvation Army, the American Cancer Society, the Houston Food Bank, and Kingwood First Baptist Church.

A Celebration of Life will be held on March 23 at 2:00 p.m. at Kingwood First Baptist Church in Kingwood, Texas.