Charles Edward Godwin, Sr.

Charles Edward Godwin, Sr. Lake City Charles Edward Godwin, Sr., age 75 , passed away peacefully at his home after a long-term illness, Sunday, December 2, 2012. A graveside service will be held at 2pm Tuesday, December 4, 2012 at Lake City Cemetery, directed by Floyd Funeral Home of Olanta. Born in Florence County, Charles was the son of the late Samuel Louie Godwin, Sr. And Roy Lee Parnell Godwin. He was a beloved husband, father and grandfather. Charles is survived by his wife of 53 years, Patricia Webster Godwin of the home; a son, Charles "Chas" Godwin, Jr. (Lynn) of Lake City; two daughters, Kim Phillips (Scotty) of Lake City and Tara Goodson (James) of Sumter; eight grandchildren, Kristin Floyd (Jason), Thomas Phillips, Chase Godwin, Mary Sibley Godwin, all of Lake City, and Taylor Goodson, Jay Goodson, Lauren Goodson, and Brad Goodson, all of Sumter; two sisters; Claire Hopkins of Lake City and Patsy Willimon of La Grange, Ga.; and one sister-in-law, Judy Godwin of Lake City. Charles is preceded in death by his brother, Samuel Louie Godwin, Jr. And his brother-in-law E. P. "Rusty" Willimon, Jr.. At an early age, Charles worked with his father at Lake City Wayside Furniture where he developed a strong work ethic. As a teenager, he had his own furniture route, traveling around the countryside of Lake City and throughout Williamsburg County. He later went on to graduate from Lake City High School, Wofford College, Palmetto Military Academy (Officer Candidacy), and the University of South Carolina School of Law. He returned to Lake City in 1967 and opened Godwin Law Office where he practiced law for thirty-five years. Charles was admitted to the South Carolina Bar, the South Carolina Supreme Court, the United States District Court, the United States Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court. He was a member of the Florence County Bar Association, the South Carolina Bar Association, the Association for Trial Lawyers of America (ATLA), the South Carolina Trial Lawyers of America (SCTLA), and the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL). Charles was also a member of the House of Delegates (1980-1981) and the Board of Governors (1981-1984) for the South Carolina Bar Association. Charles was First Lieutenant in the United States Army Reserve (honorable discharged in 1966). He was also a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives for two terms where he represented Florence County from (1969-1973). He was chairman of the Uniform Consumer Credit Code Study Committee and served on the Human Affairs Commission, both of which he was appointed to by then-Governor Carroll Campbell. Charles also served on the Education and Public Works Committee, the South Carolina Higher Education Tuition Grant Sub-Committee, and the South Carolina Secondary Education Sub-Committee. Charles was a "people" person and enjoyed the camaraderie he shared with the legal community, his friends and the members of several hunting clubs. He love God, his family and life. He was an active church member until his illness no longer permitted him to attend. He also enjoyed funding a church and bicyles for preachers in Africa through the Lake City Pentecostal Holiness Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association or Amedisys Hospice in Memory of Charles E. Godwin, Sr.. Amedysis Hospice is located at 500 Pamplico Highway, Suite D, Florence, South Carolina. The family would like to extend much gratitude and appreciation to Charles' caregivers; Gloria Brown, Rosemary Fulmore, Fannie Graham, Gloria Eaddy and Amedysis Hospice of Florence for the love and excellent care they provided Charles during his illness. Online condolences may be made at www.floydfuneral.com To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Charles Edward Godwin, Sr. please visit our Sympathy Store.