Overseer Erastus Godfrey

Overseer Erastus Godfrey earthly journey began on February 12, 1929 in Tallapoosa County, AL to the parentage of the late Jessie Herbert Godfrey and Bertha Burns Godfrey. Erastus accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior at an early age and united with the Bethlehem Baptist Church in Tallapoosa County, AL. He later moved his membership to Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Sylacauga, AL, and at the time of his transition, he was the Founder and Overseer of New Beginning Ministries in Sylacauga, AL.

Erastus received his formal education from Bethlehem Baptist Church in Tallapoosa County, AL. He received his biblical education from Shocco Springs in Talladega, AL and Samford University in Birmingham, AL.

Overseer Godfrey was a Spirit-Filled Man of God who was loved and respected by his family and his community. He was the epitome of strength and was admired by many. Overseer was a lover of quartet music. He was a member of the St. Thomas Gospel Five and the Grace Gospel Singers. He received many recognitions including District Honoree of the Rushing Springs District Missionary Baptist Association and the Addie B. McCord Lifetime Achievement Award.  Overseer Godfrey’s mother received a prophetic word from his great-aunt to name him “Erastus,” for he will grow up and preach the gospel.” Overseer Godfrey accepted his calling

into ministry in 1969 at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church. After four years, Overseer Godfrey was called to Pastoralship at the Shiloh Baptist Church in Silverun, AL where he served as Pastor for six years. Later, he served as Pastor of Union Baptist Church in Stewartville, AL for twenty-three years. On March 14, 2004, Overseer Godfrey founded the New Beginning Ministries. During his tenure as Pastor, Overseer licensed and ordained 10+ ministers for ministry. He is a second-generation minister and has three sons, one daughter, and one daughter-in-law who have also been called into the ministry.

Along Overseer Godfrey’s life journey, he met and united in Holy Matrimony to Elect-Lady Annie Godfrey and together, 15 children were born.

Overseer Godfrey answered his Master’s call on July 24, 2023 under the care of Coosa Valley Medical Center in Sylacauga, AL. At the time of his transition, he was the oldest living Godfrey. He is preceded in death by his loving wife of over 70 years, Elect Lady Annie Godfrey; parents, Jessie and Bertha Godfrey; children, Carolyn Ann Godfrey, Alva Jean Godfrey, Audrey Godfrey, Wayne Godfrey Perry, Gwendolyn Godfrey, Elder Kenneth Collins, Donald Walls, and Virgie Fulks; grandchildren, Timothy Fuller and Sonya McLemore Porter; great-grandchild, Tiamoya Taylor; and great great-grandchildren, Kahlia Cunningham and Princess Taylor.

Overseer Godfrey’s love will forever be cherished by his children, Prophet Erastus Herbert (Cindy) Godfrey of West Haven, CT, Terry (Shirley) Fuller of Thomaston, GA, Etta (Kenneth) Taylor, Jeanette Godfrey, Pastor DeForest (Minister Denise) Godfrey, Minister Mary Thompson, Charles (Mary) Godfrey, Horace Godfrey, and DeAngela (Keric) Godfrey-Merritt, all of Sylacauga, AL; nephew, Samuel (Diana) Williams of Sylacauga, AL; a special deacon and friend, Deacon Joseph Looney of Sylacauga, AL; daughter-in-law, Shannon Collins of Birmingham, AL; 38 grandchildren, 50 great-grandchildren, 36 great-great grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends.

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