Frances Wedgworth Godbold

Frances “Fan” Wedgworth Godbold passed away Thursday, December 19, 2024 in Charlotte, NC. She was born in Selma, AL, daughter of Robert Waller Wedgworth and Blanche Hafner Wedgworth. Fan later moved to Mobile, AL where she graduated from Murphy High School.

She met her husband of 66 years, the late Norman J Godbold, while working at the US Corps of Engineers in Mobile, following Norman’s military deployment in WWII. After their marriage in 1947, Fan and Norman remained in Mobile where Fan devoted herself to being a loving wife and mother. Her family and friends (some life-long from childhood and others made as recently as two years ago) were very important to her. Fan led a very fulfilled and active life and had many interests, including art, travel, tennis, and golfing. Her art was exhibited in numerous shows in Mobile, including juried shows where her works earned awards. She and Norman spent many days enjoying a picnic on the Eastern Shore of Mobile Bay. They built a summer home there and eventually moved to the bay as full-time residents.

Fan and Norman became long-time members of St. James Episcopal Church in Fairhope, AL. Fan recently moved to Charlotte, NC and became an Associate member of Sharon Presbyterian Church.

In addition to her parents and husband, Fan was preceded in death by her daughter, Diane Godbold Cox, and her sisters, Mary Russell Wedgworth Browning (Frank), Blanche Wedgworth McNeil (Bill), and Barbara “Bobbie” Wedgworth Willingham (Ernest). She is survived by her son, Norman Joseph “Joey” Godbold, Jr. and his wife, Ginger, of Charlotte, NC; daughter, Frances Godbold Alston, and her husband, Woodie, of Hoover, AL; grandchildren: Shaun Cox (Megan), Wade Cox, Beth Renfro (Billy), Paul Godbold (Stephanie), David Godbold, Evan Alston (Jordan), John Mark Alston (Jordan), and Laura Swerbilov (Nick); nine great-grandchildren; and beloved nieces, nephews, and other loved ones.

A graveside service will be held at 11:00 AM Tuesday, January 7, 2025 at Pinecrest Cemetery, Dauphin Island Parkway in Mobile. In addition, a worship service will be held in Fan’s memory at 2:00 PM January 14, 2025 in the Chapel of Sharon Presbyterian Church, 5201 Sharon Road, Charlotte, NC 28210.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. James Episcopal Church, 860 North Section Street, Fairhope, AL 36532 or Sharon Presbyterian Church, 5201 Sharon Road, Charlotte, NC 28210.