STEPHANIA MICHELLE WILLIAMS GODBEE

Stephania Michelle (Williams) Godbee was born October 15, 1957 to parents, 1st Lieutenant Theodore Leroy and Sylvia Delores Williams, in Wurzburg Germany. Germany played a huge role in her life as she graduated from the Berlin American High School in 1975 and later attended the University of Maryland Munich Campus. While modeling in Stuttgart Germany, Stephania met Cicero Antonio “Tony” Godbee and they married on February 12, 1982. In 1988, they welcomed a son, Christopher Alexander Godbee who was the joy of her life. 

Steph attended Belleville Area College in Illinois and received her Nursing Education AAS in 1986. Before starting her nursing career, she received her Nursing BA from Northern Michigan University. She was passionate about nursing and took pride in her positions as Bone Marrow Transplant Nurse, Cardiac Critical Care Nurse, and Pulmonary Clinic Head Nurse. Her skill and dedication allowed her to accomplish the job of a lifetime as the Head Nurse of the Bone Marrow Transplant In-patient Unit. In her 22 years of Civil Service, as a nurse for the federal government, she was able to touch hundreds of lives before retiring in 2014.

The simplest pleasures like spending time with family and friends, playing cards/board games brought joy to Steph’s life. She especially loved entertaining and listening to music with a glass of wine. You couldn’t help but laugh when she found humor in the most mundane things. Steph never knew a stranger and would always make you feel welcomed; her pleasant personality was contagious to everyone she met. No…she did not have a problem expressing her opinion, but only out of love and respect. Her optimism was honest, heartfelt, and was at the center of everything she did.

Though Stephania battled health challenges, her resolve to love and serve others was her guide. Love fueled Stephania's will to fight to be present in the lives of her family and friends. She made it a priority to cultivate meaningful and genuine relationships with her siblings, son, grandson, niece, nephews, and countless others.

On February 10, 2022, after a long and courageous battle with lung cancer, God called Stephania home for her eternal rest at the age of 64. Passionate about her faith in the Heavenly Father, Stephania’s love of life did not end with her death. Throughout her battle, God surrounded her with loved ones, her constant and faithful companion Maxwell (her schnauzer), and friends who will continue to honor her legacy by living their lives to the fullest.

Stephania was preceded in death by her father Theodore Leroy Williams. She is survived by Tony Godbee, her son Christopher Alexander Godbee her grandson Jo’ziah “JoJo” Alexander Williams, her mother Sylvia Williams-McLeod, her sister Paula Marie Green, her brother Theodore L. “Billy” (Patricia) Williams II, her step-mother Margaret A. Williams and step sister Margaret A. Jones, two nephews Christopher Byrd and Marcus Williams, a niece Dominique Williams and a host of relatives and friends. 

 To say her family and friends will miss her greatly, is an understatement. Steph loved fiercely and deeply and we can take comfort in knowing that Steph is now at peace surrounded by light.  Between the many patients she cared for, fellow nurses, and doctors she worked with, Steph was a well-respected and cherished colleague. She was a loyal friend to many people including Pat and Mike Spence, Gayle and Warren Stewart, and Renea and Ruben Surles.

Stephania's final wishes requested there to be no funeral by her immediate family. She wishes to be remembered and acknowledged as a hardworking, loving mother and grandmother, loyal and unselfish friend, and esteemed, respected colleague. 

Acknowledgement:

Our family wishes to express our sincere appreciation and deepest gratitude to our many friends and family. Your love, concern and acts of kindness during our time of bereavement have kept us strong and we ask that you please continue to pray for us. May God continue to bless you all.