Joe Junior Godsey

Joe Junior Godsey, age 89, of Pittsburg, passed away on October 16, 2021 in Tyler, Texas. Funeral Services will be held 2:00 P.M. Monday. October 18, 2021 in the Chapel at Erman Smith Funeral Home, officiated by Bro. Scott Darby and Judge James “A.J.” Mason.  Visitation will be held at Erman Smith Funeral Home between 1:00 P.M. to 2:00 P.M. Monday prior to the service. Burial will be at New Mine Cemetery. 
Pallbearers will be Joe Reynolds, A.J. Mason, Bill Guy, Billy McNeil, Martin Pessink, Larry Bailey, and Rhett McCullough. Honorary pallbearers will be Edward Warner and all Masons

Joe was born January 4, 1932, at Snowhill, Morris County, Texas. The oldest of six children, born to Bennett Godsey and Maryetta Hamlin Godsey. Joe graduated from Daingerfield High School in 1950. He proudly served his country in the US Army during the Korean War (1953-54). He was married to the love of his life, the former Lilma Juanice Hart on July 7, 1962 in the New Mine Baptist Church. He has made Pittsburg his home since their marriage. In 1972 at the age of 40, he became a Christian and member of New Mine Baptist Church.

After working 57 years, in 2007 at the age of 75, Joe retired, due to a medical issue, from Wheeling Machine Co. in Hughes Springs as a pipe inspector, after almost 30 years, working under several different companies, but the same job.

Joe is a Past Master of Frank Sexton Lodge No. 206, having served as secretary for 22 years and a member for 40 plus years. He is a member of Hella Temple, Dallas, Texas and served as President of The Camp County Shrine Club. He was awarded the Golden Trowel Award and Endowed Membership from his lodge and currently serves as Treasurer. He is a Past Patron of Pittsburg, Mt. Pleasant and Daingerfield Eastern Star Chapters and currently serves as Treasurer of Daingerfield.  He held many appointments from Grand Chapter and served as personal page to Leonard Wellington, Worthy Grand Patron in 1986-1987. He has served as President of the New Mine Cemetery Association for a number of years.

Joe and Lilma loved researching their roots, spending their vacations visiting in cemeteries and researching court house records, taking them to Alabama, Georgia, North and South Carolina, Virginia, Illinois, and Tennessee. The highlights of this was attending the dedication of a marker for Joe’s Revolutionary Soldier and finding the grave of Lilma’s Revolutionary Soldier. They traveled to 35 states, Canada and Mexico. After retirement, much relaxing time was spent on Bob Sandlin Lake catfishing until health issues cancelled fishing in 2016.

Joe is survived by his wife, Lilma Godsey of 59 years. He is also survived by sisters; Louise Cazzato and Jo Thomas of Mt. Pleasant, Nell Cates of Winfield and a brother, Norris Godsey of California; along with several nieces and nephews.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Harold Godsey.