Sam Godbold, 93, died on December 15, 2022, at Sanctuary Hospice House in Tupelo, MS. Visitation will be Monday, December 19, 2022, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church in Starkville, MS, with the Celebration of Life services immediately following. Interment will be at Memorial Gardens immediately afterwards.
Sam was born July 27, 1929, in Hollywood, Tunica County, Mississippi and was the youngest son of the late Robert R. Godbold, Sr. and Annie E. Godbold. He attended 12 years of Tunica County schools and was valedictorian of his senior class, letterman in football, basketball, baseball and track, football captain his senior year and recipient of the athletic award at graduation. Also, he was voted by the student body as most intellectual, most sincere, and best all-around student.
He continued his education at Mississippi State College where he graduated in 1951 with “Special Honors” in Civil Engineering. Through his achievements, he was elected to “Who’s Who Among Students in American Colleges & Universities.” He was a member of the following organizations: Phi Eta Sigma (freshman honorary), Kappa Mu Epsilon (mathematics honorary), Tau Beta Pi (engineering honorary), and Blue Key (student activities honorary).
Because of grades and the ROTC program, Sam was selected with engineering graduates from all over the country to serve in the newly formed Air Force Research & Development Command. After indoctrination at Wright Patterson AFC, Dayton, Ohio, he was assigned to the Air Force Missile Test Center, Patrick AF Base, Florida where he was one of the first 2nd Lieutenants to arrive to staff the base. He completed his tour of duty there as a 1st Lieutenant.
Sam returned to Clarksdale, Mississippi where after one year in construction he joined a newly formed architect-engineer firm and worked there for 41 years. With a year’s leave of absence, he received his master’s degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Texas in 1957. On January 1, 1949, he became a principal in the firm of Brewer, Skewes & Godbold and was President of the firm his last 15 years until retirement on January 11, 1995. He then worked another 5 years as an independent consultant. His civic club was the Lions Club, and he was an active member for 32 years.
Sam married the love of his life, Betsy Wooten, on August 3, 1968; and they served in St. Paul’s Methodist Church together for 18 years. In 1987, they joined Oakhurst Baptist Church where Sam became a deacon in 1989. He was a Sunday School teacher in both churches for 37 years. His joy was the 19 years he taught in Senior High Youth Departments. His spiritual gifts were encouragement and Youth teacher.
Sam and Betsy retired to Starkville in January 2000 to live a more relaxed lifestyle and enjoy athletic events. Sam’s firm was the principal architect that designed Humphrey Coliseum and after 23 years he saw his first game there. He is remembered as an honest, kind, and dependable person but most of all as a faithful Christian. He and Betsy were active members of First Baptist Church in Starkville where Sam served as a Deacon and Trustee.
He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Betsy Wooten Godbold, sister-in-law, Susan Wells of Oxford, MS, sister-in-law, Elizabeth Godbold of Germantown, TN, and numerous nieces, nephews, and many cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Annie Godbold, his two brothers, Rev. Robert Godbold and his wife Betty of New Albany, MS, Duncan Godbold of Germantown, TN, and brother in law Milton Wells of McLean, VA.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to
First Baptist Church Building Fund, 106 E. Lampkin St., Starkville, MS 39759
