May 7, 1934 – December 24, 2020
Esther Godwin Narron was born May 7, 1934, in Johnston County, NC, and spent most of her formative years in Black Creek, Wilson County. She died in Indian Trail, NC, on December 24, 2020, after a long and meaningful life.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Bessie Lee Stancil and James Marvin Godwin, her brother and sister-in-law, Cleon and Nona Godwin, brother Elmer Godwin, sister and brother-in-law, Emma Lee and Earney Cayton, and sister-in-law Jessie Mae Godwin, as well as her nephew Jimmy Godwin and nephew-in-law Lee Baldree.
Mrs. Narron is survived by her two children, Cynthia Narron Philemon and her husband Buddy of Stallings, and Delbridge Narron of Charlotte, as well as her grandson, Avery Philemon of Greensboro. Additional survivors include her brother Billy Godwin and wife Rose of Wendell, her sister-in-law, Dolly Godwin of Wilson, and her beloved nieces and nephews: Nancy Baldree, Linda Godwin, Michael Godwin (Nila), Janie Bynum (Roger), Peggy Carnahan (Wes), Sandy Humble (Randy), Butch Godwin (Cheryl), Steve Godwin (Amanda), Tony Godwin, and a whole passel of great and great-great nieces and nephews. Also surviving are the children of her neighborhood whose laughter and friendship made her happy.
Mrs. Narron was a teacher by profession and vocation. It was her calling. After her second child was born, she attended Pfeiffer College, driving 100 miles round trip six days a week to earn her degree in education. She worked almost her entire career in the Union County school district, teaching at Indian Trail Elementary and later at Sun Valley Middle. She primarily taught eighth grade math and science and had a special fondness for and understanding of that age student. By her estimate she taught approximately 5,000 students during her tenure and one of her dearest treasures was hearing of their lives and progress over the years. Little made her happier than having a chance to hear from or visit with those former students.
Over her lifetime she had many hobbies and interests. She loved to read and taught her children to love it. She loved science and nature, often pointing out rock formations and other natural phenomena. On almost every equinox, she would delight in standing eggs on end! She enjoyed crocheting and embroidery. She was a good seamstress, making many of her and her daughter’s clothes including her daughter’s wedding dress. She was a Boy Scout leader working with the former Explorer Post 169 in Unionville. She enjoyed ceramics, upholstered furniture, made various crafts, canned, cooked, and baked. She could tell a good story about her life growing up on the farm, its hardships and delights. Her laugh was contagious. She was a member of Pleasant Plains Baptist Church from 1968 until her death. She was ordained a deacon by Pleasant Plains.
Two funeral services will be held. Due to COVID-19, the first will be a private service in the Charlotte area, on December 29, 2020, which will be livestreamed at www.heritagecares.com starting at 11AM. A second service will be held in Johnston County, at Center Ridge Presbyterian Church (Glendale community), where her parents were charter members and where she was brought up to know the love of God. That service will be held on December 30, 2020, at 2 pm. There will be a viewing that day from noon until 2 pm in the Center Ridge sanctuary. She will be interred in the Center Ridge cemetery after the service.
A note about the viewing and service at Center Ridge. The viewing will be by family unit – masks and social distancing required. Folks will enter the front door of the sanctuary, say their good-byes and leave through the side door of the church. The service will follow the COVID protocol followed by Center Ridge – i.e., the service will be locally broadcast (88.3) and folks will listen via radio in their cars. After the service, we will move to the cemetery for burial. Please remember to stay socially distanced. We realize that not everyone may be able to hear well, but your presence will be ministry to the family.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial gift to the Esther Godwin Narron Endowed Scholarship Fund at Pfeiffer University or to the Pleasant Plains Baptist Church Building Fund.
Arrangements are being handled by Heritage Funeral Home – Indian Trail Chapel, 4431 Old Monroe Road, Indian Trail, NC 28079.
