Obituary for Geneva Tatem Godwin
In His infinite wisdom, Yah, called home our loved one, Geneva Tatem Godwin, 85, of Onancock, Virginia, on July 8, 2022. Geneva was born on October 2, 1936 to the late James and Elizabeth Tatem. She was preceded in death by her husband, George Godwin, Sr.; son, Kenneth; two brothers, Wilbur Tatem and James Tatem; and four sisters, Bernice Schley, Catherine Coleman, Mabel Tatem, and Madeline Tatem.
At an early age, she professed her life to the Savior, later joining Mount Olive Holiness Church in Parksley, Virginia in 1961, where she met her lifelong friends, the late Ruth Poulson and Julia Coleman. Continuing her spiritual growth journey, Geneva was ordained as a Missionary at St. Joseph’s Holiness Church in Atlantic, Virginia, while under the tutelage of the late Bishop Elton Brown. She was a faithful member and Mother of the church at Yahweh’s Assembly of Macedonia in Parksley, Virginia. She attended every Sabbath until her health began to decline.
Geneva loved her Savior, Yahshua Messiah, with all her heart, and she was faithful to Yah’s Word. She was a caring, devoted, and powerful prayer warrior, who always put the needs of others ahead of her own. Over the years, she interceded on behalf of family, friends, parishioners, and anyone who was in need of prayer by speaking Yah’s word and truth over their lives. Only Heaven knows the everlasting impact all her many years of faithful praying has had on the many lives she touched along the way. Her life was truly a living testament to one of her favorite Bible verses, Proverbs 3:5-6 — “Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”
Geneva enjoyed being a homemaker, raising her children, spoiling her grandchildren, and spending time with family and friends. Her favorite pastimes were cooking, reading the Bible, and watching spiritual television shows. She also loved listening to her favorite gospel singers Pastor Shirley Caesar and Reverend James Cleveland and she would often be heard singing Hold My Mule, I Don’t Feel No Ways Tired, and Oh, How I Love Yahshua.
Geneva was a beautiful woman inside and out, always-embodying grace and poise. Her elegance, humility, quietness, strength, and caring heart are among her precious memories. In 1955, her many attributes captured the heart and attention of her soulmate and forever love, George Godwin, Sr., and the two went on to marry on June 3, 1956. To this beautiful union of fifty-six years, twelve children were born.
Geneva’s legacy of love and memories will linger in the hearts of family forever, her eight sons, George, Anthony, Alonzo, Lorenzo, Timothy, Keith, Alphonso, and Mark; three daughters, Sarah, Denise, and Sharone; one brother, William Tatem, Sr.; one sister-in-law, Betty Glasglow; thirty-three grandchildren; twenty-two great-grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family. Sincere gratitude is extended to Geneva’s dedicated and steadfast friends, Arlene Wise and Mother Eleanor Marshall.
A special thank you to Geneva’s devoted caregivers for their excellent care and support, daughters: Sarah, Denise, and Sharone, and granddaughters Tyesha Crosby, RN, BSN, and Shuwanda Church.
Geneva and her late husband, George, entered into eternal rest on the same date, July 8, ten years apart. The anniversary date of George’s death was always very difficult for Geneva. However, this year instead of mourning his death, she was able to reunite with her sweetheart, and now they are resting together in perfect peace in their eternal life together. Undoubtedly, Geneva and George were truly a match made in heaven, and their awe-inspiring love story epitomizes a fairy-tale ending to a union that has been reunited, forever. May their legacy of love continue to live on through their cherished family and friends.
“Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.”
1 Corinthians, 13:7
At an early age, she professed her life to the Savior, later joining Mount Olive Holiness Church in Parksley, Virginia in 1961, where she met her lifelong friends, the late Ruth Poulson and Julia Coleman. Continuing her spiritual growth journey, Geneva was ordained as a Missionary at St. Joseph’s Holiness Church in Atlantic, Virginia, while under the tutelage of the late Bishop Elton Brown. She was a faithful member and Mother of the church at Yahweh’s Assembly of Macedonia in Parksley, Virginia. She attended every Sabbath until her health began to decline.
Geneva loved her Savior, Yahshua Messiah, with all her heart, and she was faithful to Yah’s Word. She was a caring, devoted, and powerful prayer warrior, who always put the needs of others ahead of her own. Over the years, she interceded on behalf of family, friends, parishioners, and anyone who was in need of prayer by speaking Yah’s word and truth over their lives. Only Heaven knows the everlasting impact all her many years of faithful praying has had on the many lives she touched along the way. Her life was truly a living testament to one of her favorite Bible verses, Proverbs 3:5-6 — “Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”
Geneva enjoyed being a homemaker, raising her children, spoiling her grandchildren, and spending time with family and friends. Her favorite pastimes were cooking, reading the Bible, and watching spiritual television shows. She also loved listening to her favorite gospel singers Pastor Shirley Caesar and Reverend James Cleveland and she would often be heard singing Hold My Mule, I Don’t Feel No Ways Tired, and Oh, How I Love Yahshua.
Geneva was a beautiful woman inside and out, always-embodying grace and poise. Her elegance, humility, quietness, strength, and caring heart are among her precious memories. In 1955, her many attributes captured the heart and attention of her soulmate and forever love, George Godwin, Sr., and the two went on to marry on June 3, 1956. To this beautiful union of fifty-six years, twelve children were born.
Geneva’s legacy of love and memories will linger in the hearts of family forever, her eight sons, George, Anthony, Alonzo, Lorenzo, Timothy, Keith, Alphonso, and Mark; three daughters, Sarah, Denise, and Sharone; one brother, William Tatem, Sr.; one sister-in-law, Betty Glasglow; thirty-three grandchildren; twenty-two great-grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family. Sincere gratitude is extended to Geneva’s dedicated and steadfast friends, Arlene Wise and Mother Eleanor Marshall.
A special thank you to Geneva’s devoted caregivers for their excellent care and support, daughters: Sarah, Denise, and Sharone, and granddaughters Tyesha Crosby, RN, BSN, and Shuwanda Church.
Geneva and her late husband, George, entered into eternal rest on the same date, July 8, ten years apart. The anniversary date of George’s death was always very difficult for Geneva. However, this year instead of mourning his death, she was able to reunite with her sweetheart, and now they are resting together in perfect peace in their eternal life together. Undoubtedly, Geneva and George were truly a match made in heaven, and their awe-inspiring love story epitomizes a fairy-tale ending to a union that has been reunited, forever. May their legacy of love continue to live on through their cherished family and friends.
“Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.”
1 Corinthians, 13:7