Frances Padgett

Mary Frances Penegar Godfrey Padgett of Mineral Springs, North Carolina, passed away on Monday, December 5, 2016. She was born on March 14, 1942 in Union County, North Carolina. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ware H. and Velma Howie Penegar, a brother, Jacob Penegar, and a sister, Lib Winchester all of Mineral Springs. She was also preceded in death by two husbands: her first husband, Donald Godfrey, and her second husband, Walter Padgett. She is survived by her son, Steve Godfrey and wife, Debbie; granddaughters, Briana Torres (husband, AJ and great-grandson, Alexander), Dana Himan (husband, Rob, great-granddaughters Mackenzie and Allison) and Katie Barnes (husband, Mike, great-grandsons, Logan and Zachary, and great-granddaughters, Abby and Madison.) Other survivors include her brother, Ware H. Penegar, Jr. and sister, Anna Plyler Fitch (husband, Eddie); and a large extended family of nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends. She was raised in Mineral Springs, graduated Mineral Springs High School in 1960, and completed Kings Business College. She began her career working with Union County Social Services, took some years off to raise her family, and returned to work for Union County Public Schools as a Teacher Assistant at Western Union Elementary School, where she was named Teacher Assistant of the Year in 1978-1979, and from where she retired. She was known as Frances, “Mema” and “Meme.” Frances was a woman of quiet strength and courage, having lived through much adversity (polio as a child, the death of two husbands). She was a survivor. Always kind, welcoming, humble, putting others needs before her own. You could count on her to always bring extra food, and to be available to help when needed. She was funny, genuine, sometimes stubborn, a God-fearing woman who loved gospel songs, beautiful flowers, people watching and drinking coffee. She loved reading to children and was loved by her former students who still hugged her years later. She took much pride in her family, dearly loved her siblings and their families, and cherished her time with Steve and Debbie, her grandchildren and great grandchildren. It gives us joy to imagine her running, for the first time since she was a child, into Jesus’ arms. The family is gathering at the home of Anna Plyer Fitch, Potter Road, Mineral Springs, NC 28108. Visitation is Thursday, December 8, from 1:00 p.m. until 1:45 p.m. at Gordon Funeral Service, 1904 Lancaster Avenue, Monroe, NC 28112. Funeral will be held in the Gordon Funeral Chapel on Thursday, December 8, at 2:00 PM. Burial will be at Lakeland Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Pleasant Grove Campground or Pleasant Grove UMC (Attention Treasurer, 658 Cotton Field Circle, Waxhaw, NC 28173) or to Hospice of Union County. Online condolences may be made at www.gordonfuneralservice.com.