Roger Joel Godwin

Joel "Roger" Godwin, who went by Roger was known for his love for his family, Jesus and his courageous spirit. He was born on June 18, 1944, in Pelham, Georgia, and passed away on August 31, 2026, in Lawrenceville, Georgia, at the age of 82. Roger was born to the late Sadie Godwin and the late Tommie Godwin. He was preceded in death by his wives, Janet Godwin (18 years), and Deborah Godwin (28 years), as well as by his siblings, Armogene "Jean" Pope, Russell "Lamar" Godwin, and Charles "Bo" Godwin. He is survived by his loving wife, Sally Godwin, his beloved sister, Lottie Beavers, and sister-in-law Diane Godwin along with many loving nieces and nephews who will forever treasure his memory. He leaves behind his daughter, Pamela Popham and her husband Michael. He also leaves behind his cherished grandchildren, Nicholas Popham and his wife Weatherby, Benjamin Popham, and his great-grandchildren, Halley Popham and Augustine Popham, by whom he was known affectionately as Daddaddy, by which he will long be remembered in their lives. He also leaves behind Sally's children and grandchildren. Roger was drafted for Vietnam as a young man and by the providence of God it was made possible for him to join the Air Force where he served for approximately 2 years. While in the Air Force, he studied at Mississippi State. Though he avoided direct combat in the war, he was a man who in the coming years would fight many battles, through which God delivered him. For most of his career, Roger worked as a sales representative, and he brought excellence and integrity to every project he finished. Among his career, he supervised the building of architectural mill work for businesses across the United States. Among his many professional accomplishments, his greatest achievement was overseeing the building of the Norway Pavilion at Epcot in the 1980s. His work left a lasting mark, and those who labored with him saw in him a man who understood responsibility, craftsmanship, and perseverance. Roger was a Christian whose life reflected a steady trust in the Lord. He served faithfully as a Singles Sunday School teacher for more than 20 years, and he maintained friendships with many members of his class until the day he died. At the age of 40, Roger became legally blind from the disease PXE, and this brought significant challenges to his daily life. What many would have seen as a reason to withdraw, Roger met with courage and grace. Eventually, the demands of getting to and from work by relying on friends and buses became taxing, and he chose early retirement. Even in that season, he did not allow hardship to define him. Instead, he focused his time and heart on the people he loved most, especially his grandchildren, and he found joy in being near them as often as possible. Though for a significant portion of his life his vision was poor and only grew worse over the years, those who knew him know that the eyes of his heart only grew the wider, and what might've crushed another only served to produce in him greater humility and love. Though we are sad to see him go from us, we are confident he is now beholding the Savior for which he longed all his life. And we are glad that his weakness here was such an excellent frame to display the power of God to us who are clothed in similar weaknesses. Though his days with us, for now, are concluded; we carry his memory with us as a torch knowing that weakness, difficulty, and trouble when used by God become a profound way God displays his power among us, as we have been privileged to witness in the life of Roger Godwin. He had many chances and reasons to give up but didn't because he was looking to his Savior who loved to the end, we are glad to say, Roger has done the same. In lieu of flowers, please make donations online at clarkschristmaskids.com. The funeral service to celebrate and honor his life will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at Tom M. Wages Snellville Chapel, Snellville, GA. Visitation will be held the evening prior, from 6:00pm until 8:00pm at the funeral home. Additionally, on Monday, September 14th visitation will be held from 11:00-11:30am at Willis-Jamerson Funeral Home, 176 Hand Ave. W. Pelham, GA 31779, with burial following at Mt. Olive Baptist Church Cemetery in Pelham, GA. Willis-Jamerson-Braswell Funeral Home, Pelham