Clara Mae (Silcox) Godwin

Clara Mae Silcox Godwin passed away peacefully at home with her children by her side in Jacksonville, Florida, on Monday, December 9, 2024, within a mile of her birthplace.

Clara was born March 5, 1933, at the home of her parents on Chaffee Road in Whitehouse, FL. She attended Whitehouse Elementary School then Baldwin High and fondly recalled as a child riding the bus to downtown Jacksonville for a movie at the Florida Theater. In 1949, the family move to Freeport, FL where she attend Walton High School until she met and married Irving Godwin. Together they made a home in Basin Bayou and raised four children. As a mother, Clara's love was unconditional, and her highest priority was always for the health, education and wellbeing of her children. In 1972, as her older children began to leave home, Clara started working at Freeport High School where she was employed for twenty-four years before retiring in 1996. She was a member of Eastern Star for more than fifty years and later a very active member of the Grannies, a collection of close dear friends that enjoyed each other as much as their adventures. Clara was a voracious reader and student of history and researched her Creek Indian heritage. She loved traveling with family and friends and was known for her sour cream pound cake and chicken and dumplings.

She is survived by son Richard Godwin and daughters Marsha Godwin, Cindy Godwin, and Sharon Armstrong (Jim); grandchildren Matt Armstrong (Lindsay), Emily Flournoy (Daniel), and great grandchildren Nash and Anderson Armstrong and Madelyn Flournoy. Clara is also survived by her sister Carlie and many nieces and nephews.

A viewing will be held at the Warren Funeral Services Chapel in Baldwin, Florida, Saturday, December 14 from 3-5 PM EST. A celebration of Clara's life will be held at Clary-Glenn Funeral Home in, Freeport, FL Monday, December 16, viewing at 11 AM CST followed by service at 12 noon, internment at Black Oak Cemetery and a reception following at Hammock Bay Clubhouse. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the charity that supported her caregiving years for her husband Irving. The Alzheimer's Association can receive your donation at http://act.alz.org/goto/claragodwin