Evelyn Godby

Evelyn Kathleen Godby (AKA: Duke), 93, passed away on September 30, 2012. She was preceded in death by her parents, Floyd and Iva Hardy; spouse, William "Bill" Godby; eldest daughter, Mildred L. Wozny; grandchildren, Henry Smith, Mildred L. Smith and siblings, Helen, Jane, Lavonne and Floyd L. Evelyn is survived by daughters: Iva Smith and Billie Simion-Sager, both of Indianapolis; grandchildren, Evelyn (Gary) Crowder, Bruce (Liz) Wozny, Clyde W. (Alexis) Smith, Brenda (Jeff) Smith, Allison (Eric) Hendrickson, Cynthia (Sam) Wood, Samantha Smith, Carl M. (Vanessa) Simion II and Laura Sager; 16 great grandchildren and 20 great-great grandchildren. She was born on August 16, 1919 in Indianapolis, where she lived until moving to small farm in Brownsburg, IN in 1998. She graduated from Arsenal Technical High School and Methodist Hospital School of Nursing. She married Bill Godby on March 14, 1938 and had been married 28 years when he died September 30, 1966. She worked hard her entire life, both in and out of the home. As a child, she sold EXTRAS (interim newspapers) downtown Indianapolis. While Evelyn's husband, Bill, served in the Army during World War II, she raised her two older daughters and worked as a welder at Electronic Laboratories. She became a mother again in 1952 and worked evenings with her husband at Woodcraft Products (The Paddle Shop), making fraternity and sorority paddles. She was a type setter. Although she did work outside of the home, her primary job was that of a mother and homemaker. Upon the death of her husband in 1966, she was left raising her youngest daughter alone. She began working fulltime and taking classes part time. Once her youngest married, she pursued a career in nursing - first at Methodist Hospital, later as private duty - until retirement. Between working, raising her daughters, and keeping her house spic n span, there wasn't much time for recreation. However, when she found time, she enjoyed music and dancing, camping and fishing, playing euchre at family gatherings and cooking for her family. She was a member of the Order of the Women of the Moose for many years, as well as a member of the 500 CB Club (her CB name was Green Frog) in the 1970's. She also enjoyed the companionship of her dogs over the years. Evelyn was originally a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church on Holmes Avenue. However, when she was no longer able to drive, she attended services with her daughter, Billie, at Trinity Episcopal Church on North Meridian Street. Later, she became a member of St. Malachy Catholic Church in Brownsburg. Until her death, she could still recite verbatim two poems she learned as a child: The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere (lead up to the Revolutionary War by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow) "Listen my children and you shall hear…"; and, In Flanders Fields (WW I poem by John McCrae). Both poems encourage perserverance, which was one of Evelyn's strongest traits - something she instilled in her daughters and will be carried on for generations to come. Our precious mother, grandmother, great grandmother, great-great grandmother has completed her work in this world and left her mark on all of us. Visitation will be Wednesday, October 3 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM and the funeral at 1:00 PM, both at Steven's Mortuary, 5520 W. 10th St., Indpls. The burial will follow at Washington Park Cemetery North. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Evelyn's memory may be made to The Saint Malachy School Building Fund, 9833 E. Co. Rd. 750 North, Brownsburg, IN (http://www.saintmalachyparish.org).