Obituary of Hayes Hammond Godwin Jr.

Mr. Hayes Hammond Godwin Jr., 75, of Ozark, Alabama, passed away peacefully in his sleep on August 17, 2025, at his home. Funeral services for Mr. Godwin will be 11:00 A.M. Friday, August 22, 2025, in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Ozark with Elder Donald Bradley Phipps officiating. Interment will follow in Woodlawn Memory Gardens with Military Honors, Holman Funeral Home of Ozark directing. The family will receive friends Friday in the church from 9:30 A.M. until service time. Born on July 25, 1950, in Ozark, Alabama, to Lucile Johnson Godwin and Hays Godwin Sr., Hayes lived a life marked by humor, service, and an unwavering love for his family, faith, and the outdoors. Professionally, Hayes worked at Michelin in Dothan, Alabama, where his strong work ethic and kind demeanor left a lasting impression. A proud veteran, Hayes served his country during the Vietnam War, embodying courage and dedication. His commitment to serving others extended beyond the battlefield, as he lived a life guided by the light of Christ. In 2013, Hayes and his beloved wife, Rebecca Anne Godwin, served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Tell City, Indiana, sharing their faith and love with those around them. Hayes’s warm humor and generous spirit touched everyone he met. He found joy in the simple pleasures of life—tending to his chickens, caring for his tractor, feeding bluebirds, and spending time outdoors. Whether mowing the lawn, fishing, or riding the mule with his grandchildren, Hayes’s love for nature and family was ever-present. His devotion to his family was evident in the love he shared with his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Hayes is survived by his loving wife, Rebecca Anne Godwin; children, David (Lori) Godwin, Melissa (Jud) Boyd, Christopher "Grant" (Rome) Godwin, Jacob (Allyson) Godwin, Adam (Ansley) Godwin, and Anthony "Tuck" (Rachel) Godwin; 15 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren, with one on the way; and his sisters, Rhoda (Marvin) Weide and Naomi Johnson. He was preceded in death by his mother, Lucile Johnson Godwin; his father, Hays Godwin Sr.; and his brother, Timothy Johnson Godwin. Hayes’s legacy of faith, laughter, and love will live on in the hearts of all who knew him. His life was a testament to the joy of serving others and the beauty of a life well-lived.