Ted Godfrey

Ted Godfrey, 74, of North Augusta, South Carolina passed peacefully on April 27, 2024, after a tough fight with cancer. Ted was born to Lois Mariam and Moultrie Rhame Godfrey, Sr. on August 22, 1949, in Charleston, South Carolina. Ted was the baby of the family, although you would not know it by his take charge attitude. His two adored older sisters, Faye Allison and Harriet Stephens, survive him along with their families. Ted went to Clemson University for college in the late 1960s, and Clemson became one of his favorite places in the world. Ted could be found for a large part of his life on Saturdays at Death Valley cheering on his beloved Clemson Tigers. Ted’s life cannot be captured without mentioning his life-long friends from Clemson, Fuzzy, Marty, and Marion—who their collective children referred to as the Four Fathers. Fuzzy and Marty predeceased Ted, and the three of them will be waiting for Marion singing Tiger Rag. Ted finished college at Baptist College in Charleston where he met his first wife, Suzy. Ted and Suzy were married for eighteen years and had two wonderful daughters, Mandy and Amy. Ted’s children will tell you that he loved to tell people what to do—he would call it “giving advice”. He naturally became a teacher after graduating from college and moving to North Augusta. Ted made a huge impact in his students’ lives throughout his years of teaching. Many of his former students continued to have a close relationship with him up to his passing. They recall stories of Ted teaching them in school, but also in life. He took some of these students to their first KISS concert and their first cruise. For some of his students, Ted was the first person who told them they could make a difference, that they were important. Ted changed lives in his work. Ted then took his classroom teaching into the kitchen, through the restaurant business at Wife Saver. Known to some as a “fried chicken ninja”, Ted spent many, many weekdays, weekends, and late nights working and catering at Wife Saver. He continued to recruit people, including his children’s friends, to work at Wife Saver and his coworkers became like family. Nothing creates a bond like spending all night making pimento cheese sandwiches for the Masters or waking up at 3 am to fry hundreds of turkeys for Thanksgiving. Ted’s friends will tell you that he was happiest when he was cooking, entertaining, traveling, on a porch in the Carolina mountains, or spending time with family. He loved life and he lived that way—every day was a day to rejoice in and celebrate. But he loved nothing as much as he loved people. He loved his students, he loved his employees, he loved his friends, and he especially loved his family. Ted met the love of his life Marcia in 1990, and together they would enjoy thirty-two thrilling and wonderful years of marriage. Marcia gave Ted the gift of a bonus family, including her son, Scott, his wife Christina and, a few years later, Ted and Marcia’s first grandchild, Courtney. Ted loved being a grandfather—he loved traveling with and spoiling his grandchildren without regret (although he still loved to tell them what to do). Known as “Papa T” to his seven grandchildren, Ted loved to spend time with his family, which continued to expand over the years to his delight. Scott and Chris had another daughter—Caroline. Mandy had three children—Felix, Katie, and Cooper. Amy married David Helmick and had two children—James and Sarah. Ted’s family loved to spend time with him, and they will remember trips abroad, football games, and bountiful Christmases at Papa T’s house. Ted and Marcia spent many weekends on the road for birthdays, recitals, graduations, or just a weekend to see the kids. Late in life, Ted indicated that one of his few regrets is that he will no longer be able to attend his grandchildren’s special events, weddings, and graduations. Ted’s one other concern was for his wife Marcia. Ted thought his decline in health was too soon; thirty-two years was simply not enough, he hated to leave her. Ted had plans for many more nights where he could cook for his family, visit with friends, and he had planned a large number of trips that will not be taken. Ted lived a life full of love. He loved each person that he came across and loved to meet new people and bring them into his fold. He will be greatly missed, but his legacy will continue in each life he touched. Ted was predeceased by his parents, Moultrie and Lois Godfrey, and his parents-in-law Winona and John Vernberg. Ted is survived by his loving wife Marcia Godfrey, his children and children-in-law, Scott and Christina Lewis, Mandy Godfrey, and Amy and David Helmick, his seven grandchildren, Courtney and Caroline Lewis; Felix, Katie, and Cooper Snoddy; and James and Sarah Helmick, his stepmother Elizabeth Godfrey, and his sisters and brothers-in-law, Faye and Dennis Allison and Harriet Stephens and Wayne Grace. A memorial service will be held for Ted on Saturday afternoon, May 11, 2024, at 3 o’clock at St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church, 471 W Martintown Road, North Augusta SC, 28941. The family will host a celebration of life reception at the Palmetto Terrace located the North Augusta Municipal Building, 100 Georgia Avenue, North Augusta, SC 29841, immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation to Ted and Marcia’s favorite charity, Food for the Poor, https://foodforthepoor.org/. Posey Funeral Directors is assisting the family with their arrangements (803)278-1181.

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Ted Godfrey

August 22, 1949 - April 27, 2024