Bobby Bowman Godwin, 91, of Fayetteville went home to be with the Lord on December 27, 2023.

Bobby was born on April 26, 1932, in Guilford County, and adopted by the late Herbert Godwin and Annie Bell Wilson of Linden.  He grew up in Linden and graduated from Linden High School.

He was known for being jolly and always finding humor in every situation. He had a sweet tooth and vanilla ice cream was his favorite. At any time of the day or night, Bobby loved going for a car ride on the back roads of Linden, reminiscing about his childhood and looking for deer.

Bobby began his love for auto parts in the 1950's when he was employed with Frank R. Bailey DeSoto Car Dealership. He then went to work at Yarborough Motor Company before opening his very own auto business, Bobby Godwin Auto Parts, which is now owned and operated by his son-in-law, Tim Leonard. He retired from the Cumberland County School System in the Maintenance Department in 1992.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, December 30, 2023, at 1 p.m. at Jernigan-Warren Chapel with the Rev. Brooks Grimes officiating. The family will receive friends following the service at the funeral home. The burial will be held on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, at 1 p.m. at Lafayette Memorial Park.

Bobby was preceded in death by his wife, Polly Godwin; father, Willard Bowman, Sr; step-mother, Ruth Bowman; siblings, Dovella Foglman, Doris Ware, Willard "Billy" Bowman Jr., Irene Gibson, and Bert Godwin; stepsons, Ronnie Raynor and Jerry Raynor.

He is survived by his daughters, Bobbie Earlene Leonard and husband Tim, Betty Sue Godwin and husband Steve Wilkie; stepchildren, Donald "Duck" Raynor, Linda Walker, Doris Grimes and Margie Raynor; brothers, Tony Bowman and wife Debbie and Robert Bowman; grandchildren, Nora Wilkie-Donley and husband Brian and Anna Wilkie; and many step grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or to your favorite charity.

Funeral arrangements by Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home, 545 Ramsey Street, Fayetteville, N.C. 28301

Online condolences may be made at www.jerniganwarren.com

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105
Tel: 1-800-805-5856
Web: http://www.stjude.org/