Margaret Lambert Godwin died peacefully on May 18 at Crowne Nursing Home in Greenville after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.  Born Margaret Amanda Goodwin on Oct. 17, 1926, to parents Ruth Alice Kuykendall and Beda Carl Goodwin of Butler County, Alabama, Margaret graduated from Ft. Deposit High School and went on to enjoy a highly successful 35-year career with Western Union.  She married Robert Lambert in 1952, a mechanic with Railway Express, a precursor to Federal Express.  They lived in Hope Hull, Ala., where they were both active members of the Hope Hull United Methodist Church and avid travelers. Margaret was widowed in 1988 when Robert, who then had opened his own mechanic shop, died after suffering a stroke.

In January of 1995, Margaret married Ross Godwin, of Braggs, Ala., a former classmate.  She brought an adventurous spirit and a great many years of happiness to the marriage.  As a former president of the Dixie Dalmations, a large motor home and travel trailer organization, Margaret traveled extensively throughout the United States, including a caravan to Alaska and a cruise through Europe.  She enjoyed camping, cooking, and above all, her family.  She was preceded in death by her parents and step-mother, Carrie Branon Goodwin,  her first husband, her sisters, Katie Lane Goodwin Brown and Mary Eleanor Goodwin Dukes, both of Greenville, Ala., and her brother, Lewis Marvin Goodwin of Indiana.  Although Margaret never had children of her own, her extended family included 11 nieces and nephews who she treated with warmth and generosity, tremendous love and enduring devotion.  Margaret is survived by her husband, Ross Godwin, and his family; her sister-in-law, Jean Holt Goodwin of Muncie, Ind., and her nieces, nephews and their families – Joseph Lane Brown, of Greenville, Ala.; Frances Ruth Brown Bailey, Greenville, Ala.; Dorothea Alice Goodwin Sears, St. Louis, Mo.; Martha Eleanor Brown Pettit, Montgomery, Ala.; Lewis Paul Goodwin, Warsaw, Ind.;  Peggy Yvonne Dukes Gilkes, Madison, Ala.; Polly Ann Goodwin Branscum, Ft. Walton Beach, Fla.; Jefferson Noel Brown, Greenville, Ala.; Debra Sue Dukes Justice, Valley, Ala.; Mary Jane Dukes Allen, Madison, Ala., and Cheryl Anne Dukes Ingram, Auburn, Ala.  Also sharing in this loss is her faithful and dear friend, Gloria Franklin, of Ft. Deposit, Ala., who brought her much comfort and joy throughout the past 20 years of her life.

Margaret’s enthusiasm for life and her loving, caring spirit will be celebrated on Wednesday, May 21, at Dunklin and Daniels Funeral Home beginning with visitation from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.  The memorial service will commence at 11 a.m.  The burial service will be held at 2 p.m. at Montgomery Memorial Cemetery, 3001 Simmons Drive, Montgomery, Ala., where Margaret will be joined with her first husband Robert in eternal peace.  We welcome all family and friends to join with us for either or both of the ceremonies.  Flowers will be accepted or donations may be made to the Hope Hull United Methodist Church, 305 Wasden Rd, Hope Hull, AL, 36043.  Online condolences may be made at www.dunklinanddanielsfh.com.