Nansemond County Virginia USGenWeb Archives Obituaries.....Godwin, Charles B. Jr., 1954 

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CHARLES BERNARD GODWIN, JR.

C.B. GODWIN, NANSEMOND LAWYER, DIES

WAS FORMER COUNTY COMMONWEALTH’S ATTORNEY IN SUFFOLK

   Suffolk, Dec. 2 - Charles Bernard Godwin, Jr., widely known Suffolk lawyer, 
died suddenly today at his home at 717 Riverview Drive. He was 57.

   Mr. Godwin passed away  between 2:30 and 3 p.m. today while taking a nap. 
News of his death was a surprise to his friends, since he had been considered 
in excellent health.

   A member of the Virginia Bar since 1920, Mr. Godwin had built up a 
reputation through the years as one of the outstanding trial lawyers of the 
State.  Throughly at home in the courtroom, he early became known for the 
ability to simplify complicated matters and for his knowledge of human 
psychology.  He was courtly in manner, plain and simple in mode of expression 
and full of wit and good humor.

ELECTED FIVE TIMES

   He began practicing law here in 1921 and in 1925 was appointed Nansemond 
County Commonwealth’s Attorney.  After being elected to office five times 
without opposition, he retired to private practice in 1947.

   Since he left public office he handled many important cases.  He was 
perhaps best known for his successful defense of the will of Amedeo Obici, a 
case which involved several million dollars bequeathed in trust to Obici 
Memorial Hospital.

   Since shortly before World War II Mr. Godwin had been in partnership with a 
cousin, Mills E. Godwin, now State Senator.

   Mr. Godwin was active in State and local politics through the years, and 
since 1948 he had served as chairman of the Nansemond County Democratic 
Executive Committee.

   Born in Nansemond County, he was a son of the late Charles B. and Mattie 
Whitney Godwin.  He was educated in the public schools and at Fork Union 
Military Academy and received his law degree from the University of Virginia. 
While in college he was a member of Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity.

   He was a past president of the Suffolk Bar Association and a past vice 
president of the Virginia State Bar Association.  He had been admitted to 
practice in all the State and Federal courts, including the United States 
Supreme Court.

   Much in demand as a public speaker, Mr. Godwin was active in church and 
civic organizations.  He was a past senior warden of St. Paul’s Episcopal 
Church and a charter member and past president of the Suffolk Lions Club.

FUNERAL SATURDAY

   He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Margaret Causey Godwin; a son, James 
Causey Godwin, of Suffolk; a daughter, Margaret Carroll Godwin, student at 
Randolph-Macon College, Lynchburg; two brothers, Dr. F. Whitney Godwin, of 
Richmond; a foster sister, Mrs. Charles Moses, of Appomattox, and a 
granddaughter, Ellen Brooks Godwin, of Suffolk.

   Funeral services will be conducted here Saturday at 3 p.m. at St. Paul 
Episcopal Church by the Rev. John A. Winslow rector.  Burial will be in Cedar 
Hill Cemetery.  The body will be taken from the Baker Funeral Home to the 
church at 2 p.m.


Charles Bernard GODWIN, Jr., former Nansemond Co. Commonwealth's Attorney, 
b. Nansemond Co., d. 2 Dec 1954, Suffolk, age 57, 
interred in Cedar Hill Cemetery (Block U, Lot 15*), Suffolk, 4 Dec 1954, 
donated obit, publication unknown 

*His in-laws are buried in adjacent Lot 14. 
   Cedar Hill list, an extension of the Southampton County 
   Historical Society {SCHS} Cemetery Project: 
   http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/nansemond/cemeteries/cedar_g.txt 

a portrait appears online, in the Library of Virginia (LVA) and 
   Suffolk Public Library's Hamblin Studio Photograph Collection (1909-1979). 
   Search the LVA catalog for Subject "Godwin, C.B., Mr.": 
   http://www.lva.virginia.gov/ 

His parents are buried in Wesley Chapel Methodist Church Cemetery. 
   Wesley Chapel list, another extension of the SCHS Cemetery Project: 
   http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/nansemond/cemeteries/wesleych.txt 


Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by 
Mrs. Bruce Saunders (bs4403@verizon.net), 
and re-formatted by File Manager. 

file at: 
http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/nansemond/obits/g350c2ob.txt