James Marion Godfrey, Jr.

James Marion Godfrey, Jr., 72, of Durants Neck, NC passed away on Monday, January 5, 2026.

Marion was born in Elizabeth City, NC on May 14, 1953 and was the son of the late James Marion Godfrey, Sr. and Mattie Wray Morse Godfrey.

He was a proud third-generation farmer and was also a man of deep conviction and community spirit. Marion was a dedicated member of New Hope Methodist Church and a proud member of the NRA. While he was an avid outdoorsman with a lifelong passion for hunting, nothing compared to the love he held for his family. He cherished every moment spent with his grandchildren, who affectionately knew him as "Gran Gran."

Marion is survived by his wife, Deborah Hobbs Godfrey; two daughters, Tammi Godfrey Byrum (Andrew) and Melissa Miller (Tony); a son, Justin James Godfrey (Amy); four grandchildren, Lilah Marion Byrum, Maylin Halle Miller, Holden James Godfrey, and Hayden Elizabeth Godfrey: a sister, Vickie Godfrey Erps (Monte); and two brothers, David Allen Godfrey (Gayle), and Jamie Sam Godfrey.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm on Friday, January 9, 2026 at New Hope Church, 2098 New Hope Rd, Hertford, NC 27944, with Pastor Carroll Bundy officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends following the committal.

The family would like to express its appreciation for Marion’s caregiver, Renita James, for her special care.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the James Marion Godfrey Scholarship, care of the Perquimans County School Foundation, P.O. Box 337, Hertford, NC 27944.  Please share a memory with the family via the Online Guestbook.