Iris Townley Godwin

Iris Townley Godwin

March 27, 1930 - Nov. 27, 2015

AMARILLO, Texas -- Iris Townley Godwin, 85, formerly of Tulia, died Friday, Nov. 27, 2015, in Amarillo after a lengthy illness. She leaves her family and friends with countless memories, some of which include: magical Christmas gatherings, her contagious laughter, her great fondness of shopping and her daily example of a Christian lady.

Services were today, Tuesday, Dec. 1, at St Luke's Presbyterian Church in Amarillo. Rev. Jim Wallace officiated. Burial was in Rose Hill Cemetery in Tulia.

Iris was born on the family farm, March 27, 1930, to John and Elva Townley of Lebanon, Nebraska. She was one of nine graduates from Lebanon High School in 1947. She enrolled and graduated from Central Business College in Denver, Colorado. While in Denver, she met then Corporal Kenneth "Tye" Godwin, formerly of Lubbock, Texas. They married on Feb. 14, 1948, at Corona Presbyterian Church in Denver, Colorado.

Tulia became their home in 1953 and it was here they raised their two daughters and became the owners of Tulia Auto Parts. Iris was at Tye's side as his bookkeeper and office manager for 39 years. In 2000, they moved to Amarillo.

Iris was preceded in death by her parents, John and Elva Townley and seven siblings.

Survivors include her husband of 67 years, Kenneth "Tye" Godwin; two daughters, Kenna DuBose of Amarillo and Diana Schwede and husband, Gary of Lubbock; a sister, Nelda Haag of Cambridge, Nebraska; four grandchildren, Erika North of Amarillo, Amy Beicker of Fredericksburg, Kenton DuBose of Fort Worth and Haley Diatto of Aledo; and seven great-grandchildren.

The family suggests memorials to Tulia Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 116, Tulia, Texas, 79088.

Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors in Amarillo is in charge of arrangements.