Louise Byrd Godwin, age 74, died Friday, June 12, 2009 in South Hill, VA of complications from Alzheimer’s disease.
She was born in Bertie County, NC on Oct. 6, 1934, the daughter of Roy Winston Byrd and Augusta Louise Mills.
She attended Mars Hill College in 1952 and then completed a nursing degree at Charlotte Memorial Hospital in 1955. She graduated from the School of Anesthesia at Norfolk General Hospital in 1958 and practiced as a nurse anesthetist for the next 35 years, primarily in Raleigh, NC.
Louise was a warm, outgoing person who loved her family and her profession. She is greatly missed by all those whose life she touched with her encouragement and kindness.
Louise is survived by her husband of 53 years, Charles Sparkman Godwin, and her two daughters and their families: daughter, Blanche Byrd Godwin Shelton, son-in-law Tracy Shelton, grandchildren Rachel and Brent Shelton, all of Cary, NC; and daughter Lou Ann Godwin Avery, son-in-law Rick Avery, and grandchildren Abigail, Andrew and Alexandra Avery, all of McKenney, VA. Louise is also survived by her two sisters, Joy White of Aulander, NC, Kay Marshall of Texas; and two brothers, Winston Byrd of Lincoln, AL and Harry Byrd of Costa Rica.
A memorial service honoring Louise’s life will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 27, 2009 at the Asbury United Methodist Church in McKenney, VA.
Contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to the Louise Byrd Godwin Tribute Fund at www.alz.org.