Baxter Godwin

Nelson Baxter Godwin was born in Hardin County, Tennessee on July 9, 1927, the son of Lewis Valentine and Nancy Elizabeth Ward Godwin. On July 8, 1950 he married his sweetheart Mary Charlene Crotts; he nicknamed her "Chipmunk" and she was his wife and soul mate for 67 years.

For 28 years, Baxter, as he was known to everyone, worked as a mechanic for Emmett Yeiser Chevrolet Company. From there he moved to the Hardin County Highway Department where he worked for another seven and one-half years before retiring.

Even at the age of 90, Baxter still enjoyed playing his computer games and was the reigning Domino champion of the family. His love for his family was only exceeded by his love for the Lord. Baxter gave his heart and soul to the Lord as a teenager, joining the Campground United Methodist Church on February 22, 1959 and becoming a certified Methodist lay speaker in 1975. If anyone spent more than a few minutes with him his passionate concern for spreading God's word led him to ask if they knew Jesus. Then he would generously share his love of the Lord with them.

Nelson Baxter Godwin departed this life on Monday, October 9, 2017 at the age of 90 years and 3 months. In addition to his wife Charlene, he is survived by his daughters, Vicki Janine Godwin Juckett of Maryville, Tennessee and Vonda Gay Godwin Johnson of Andersonville, Tennessee and his sons Kenneth Nelson Godwin of Savannah, Tennessee and Tony Darrell Godwin of Maryville, Tennessee. Baxter also leaves his brother Elvin "Pete" Lewis Godwin, 8 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Evelyn Lois Godwin Reeves and his brother, Buford Earl Godwin.