Martha E Godwin

Martha E. Godwin, 91 of Garland, TX went home to be with her Savior on February 23, 2024.  Martha was born on June 27, 1932 in rural Dallas County, Iowa to Lucile Mae Warren and William Jennings Bryan Stevens.  She graduated high school at the age of 16 and was a member of the Nu Phi Mu Sorority.

With a family history of congestive heart failure, she had been blessed by world renowned cardiologist, Dr. Bruce Bowers, with more than 13 years of extended life.  She had many heart procedures, including 5 stints, a heart bypass utilizing robotics in the early phases of its development as a part of the initial trial for the Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR), and lastly a pacemaker/defibrillator.   

Once her children were all of school age, Martha was employed outside the home, specializing as a Customer Service Representative for home and automobile insurance in both Iowa and Texas.

After retirement, Martha donated much of her time to service type projects such as making baby hats for premature babies at Medical City-Dallas, donating blankets to the homeless, making cancer hats/bags for cancer patients with the Sachse Senior Center.   In 2008 she was recognized for her selfless work and was presented with “The President’s Volunteer Service Award”.  

Martha was a very caring and gifted soul as well as being a talented crafter.  A few of her projects included: designing and creating inspirational t-shirts; making special homemade gifts each Christmas, such as jewelry, knitted and crocheted afghans, hats/mittens/slippers; and creating parachute cord and egg shell crosses which she gifted to each of the congregants at Peace Lutheran Church in Garland, TX.

A specific joy and mission of Martha’s was to create spiritual greeting cards for Valentine’s Day, Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas … sharing them with her family, church family, and the Sachse Senior Center members.  Most all of the congregants from Peace Lutheran … and many members from the Sachse Senior Center would share with Martha how they so enjoyed these works of art, were lifted up by them, retained them and frequently displayed them in their homes.

Additionally, she was a member of multiple Lutheran based ministries over her 38 years in TX, to include Concordia Lutheran Church, Bethel Lutheran Church, and Peace Lutheran Church.

Martha was preceded in death by her husband, Franklin W. Godwin Jr.; her Mother, Father, and sisters Norma Dietrick and June Garrett.  Martha and Frank were married on August 27, 1951.  They celebrated their 72^nd anniversary last August 27, 2023.  

Martha is survived by her sister, Nancy Flynn and husband Mike, sons Gregory Godwin and his wife Denice from Anderson, IN, Steven Godwin and his wife Jenifer from Woodward, IA; daughters Marsha Godwin from Garland, TX and Janice Jones and her husband Stuart from Marshalltown, IA; 9 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.   

Martha is being cremated and she, along with Franklin, will both return home to Iowa for burial.   No services are planned, but Donations in memory of Martha can be directed to:  

                Zion Lutheran Church

                ATTN:  Martha Godwin/LWML Memorial

                6121 E. Lovers Lane

                Dallas, TX  75214