Francis A. "Buddy" Godfrey Jr.

Francis “Buddy” Atherton Godfrey Jr passed away peacefully on January 26, at home with his family by his side.

He was born in Pascagoula, Mississippi on June 19, 1944, to the late Francis and Mildred (Moates) Godfrey. He was proceeded in death by his sisters Grace Smith, Shirley Polifrone, Sandra Usey and brother Jack Godfrey. Survivors included his wife of 56 years, Carol Ann (Haire) Godfrey; son,  Francis “Frankie” (Laurie) Atherton Godfrey, III; daughter, Elizabeth Anne “Sissy” (Elliott) Smith, all of Pascagoula, Mississippi. Sisters Ann (Peter) Fawcett of the Villages Florida and Kathy (John) Simpson of Pascagoula Mississippi, 6 grandchildren Chandler Reynolds, Hunter Godfrey, Anna Grant Ramanauskas, Emma Godfrey, Ava Smith and Allie Smith and two great-grand children, Cy Reynolds and Blair Reynolds. Sisters-in-law Jackie(I.D.) Stewart and Jamie (Terry) Dwyer and numerous nieces and nephews.

Buddy was a 1962 graduate of Pascagoula High School, and went on to attend the University of Southern Mississippi and received his Bachelors Degree. While attending USM he was a member of Phi Kappa Tau and was the General Nat Mascot. Buddy worked at numerous banks along the Coast, retiring from Hancock Bank in 2009. He was a member of Arlington Baptist Church.

Wood working was a passion of Buddy’s, carving Santa’s and ducks was one of his favorite past-times. He was an avid bass fisherman and a member of Dog River Bass Masters. He was involved in local youth sports, coaching football and baseball. He touched so many young lives through his volunteerism. One of his favorites things was attending and watching the LSU Tigers.

To know Buddy was to love him, he never met a stranger, told the best jokes and was known for his beautiful singing voice and dance moves. We all take comfort in knowing that he is now at peace, reunited with loved ones, and joyfully celebrating in Heaven.

There will be no public services at this time, but the family would love for you to share a memory of Buddy.

Donations can be made in his honor to the Seth Alexander Memorial Scholarship Fund at any Merchants and Marine Bank.  

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