Frances Rosser Godbehere

Lena Frances Rosser Godbehere of Thomasville, GA passed away at Southern Pines in Thomasville on December 1, 2016 at age 95. Born in Newton County, GA in 1921 to Stephen Foster and Lillian Gardner Rosser, she grew up in Newton County, GA helping out on the family cotton farm. She graduated from Covington High School and, after training in secretarial skills at Georgia State University, worked for Sears and Roebuck Company in Atlanta. There, at a Christmas Eve Party in 1946, she met Dr. John William (Jay) Godbehere, Jr. and they were married at the Emory University Chapel on June 21 the following year. After the birth of a son and daughter, the young family moved from Atlanta to Thomasville in 1951 where their third child was born. In 1965, the family moved to Johnson City, TN and then, after retirement, moved back to Thomasville in 1973.

Frances was an active member of First Baptist Church of Thomasville and, over the years worked with young couples, “The Hungry Club”, Girl Scouts, and as a volunteer at Archbold Memorial Hospital. She always enjoyed the adventure of travel with her family and her husband Jay. Frances was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother known for her sweetness, warmth, and an innate peacefulness sustained by her strong faith. Her nurturing spirit and desire to do things for others was exemplified by a home always open to all with a home-cooked meal at the ready.

Frances is survived by her sons Steve Godbehere and wife Debbie Jackson Godbehere of Grady County, GA and Jerry Godbehere and wife Nancy Burke Godbehere of Marlboro, NJ, 7 grandchildren (Leigh Pitts Herber, John David Pitts, Anne Pitts Michaud, Lt. CDR John Godbehere, USN, Josh Godbehere, Rev. Sarah Godbehere, and Dr. Andrew Godbehere), and 8 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband and her daughter Jane Godbehere Pitts.

Arrangements are being handled by Allen & Allen Funeral Home. Visitation will be held Saturday December 3 at the First Baptist Church Chapel, Thomasville, GA at 2PM. A memorial service will follow visitation beginning at 3PM. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to First Baptist Church Thomasville, PO Box 2790, Thomasville, Ga 31799, Barnett’s Creek Baptist Church, 564 Stewart Road, Thomasville, GA 31792 or the YMCA of Thomasville, PO Box 1037, Thomasville, Ga 31799.