Deberal Godfrey, 71

February 27, 1952  –  January 6, 2024

VERONA – Deberal Northington Godfrey, a kind, selfless lady, departed this life on Sat., Jan. 6, 2024, from Sanctuary Hospice House after a period of declining health. She was 71 years old. Deb, as most called her, was born in Amory on Feb. 27, 1952 to the late Lee Roy Northington and Mattie Lou Phillips Northington. She grew up in Monroe County and graduated in 1970 from Hatley High School. A hard and loyal worker, Deb attended Bevill State College where she studied nursing. She lived several years in Sulligent, Ala. working for Lamar Regional Hospital in Vernon until her marriage to Marion “Dick” Godfrey on July 15, 1995. A hard worker, Deb worked at NMMC for a time and retired as an industrial Nurse for Action/Lane Furniture. Deb and Dick loved their motorcycles and traveled extensively. She enjoyed her trips to the mountains more than anywhere. Deb was Co-director of Gold Wing Road Riders for 9 years. She loved spending time with her family and enjoyed cooking for them. She had a natural love and attraction to babies and was known to “take up” with little ones, often strangers, instantly. She professed her faith in God at an early age at the Splunge Free Will Baptist Church.

A service celebrating her life will be held at 2 PM today (Tue. 1/9/24) in the Sadie Holland Memorial Chapel at Holland Funeral Directors-Tupelo with Chaplain Jay Stanley officiating. Private burial will follow in Lee Memorial Park. Visitation will be 4PM-7PM Monday and from Noon-service time today at Holland-Tupelo Chapel, which is honored to be serving the family. For those unable to attend, the service may be viewed at www.hollandfuneraldirectors.com/Live-streaming at 2 PM and will be archived thereafter.

Deb is survived by her husband, Marion “Dick” Godfrey of Verona; a daughter, Rebecca Hulsey (Donald Wayne) of Sulligent; 2 sons, Richard Nolen of Verona, and Bryan Nolen (Loree) of Sulligent; 7 grandchildren, Tanner, Hayden, Raegan, Brylee, Destiny, Luke and Katie; 10 great-grandchildren; her brothers-in-law, Clyde Godfrey (Linda) and Gene Godfrey (Billie) of Verona; special friends, Wanda and Ray Blaylock of Splunge; and her nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, and a sister, Peggy Dillard.

Pallbearers will be Allan Brunk, Jason Brunk, Jeff Godfrey, Jacob Creely, Ray Blaylock and Tommy Murphy. Honorary pallbearers will be Mike Lann, Clyde Godfrey, John Tutor, Bill Bailey and Jim Jennings.

The family requests that memorials be sent to Sanctuary Hospice House, P. O. Box 2177, Tupelo, MS 38803.

Please follow the funeral home link above for further information, or to send online condolences or memorial gifts.