Mother Rena Louise (Brabham) Godbee

The Legacy of Life

Mother Rena Louise Godbee

Mother Rena Louise Brabham Godbee, 84, was born on March 20, 1941, to Mr. James and Mrs. Dora Brown Brabham in the Bushwick section of Brooklyn, New York.

She attended the public school system of Brooklyn, completing Bushwick High School. Having a passion for art and helping children, Rena followed her passion by working for the New York City Department of Education as a dedicated Teacher’s Aide at Manhattan Junior High School 104 in New York, NY.  She would often walk an hour to catch the Tram to Roosevelt Island in Queens New York to get to work.  Rena was extremely dedicated to her job and never met a student that she didn't think could be helped, which made her popular among the staff, students, and parents. 

The former Ms. Rena Louise Brabham fulfilled a life goal and was united in Holy Matrimony to the late Mr. James Godbee, Sr. (Trustee of New Springfield Baptist Church).  To this beloved union five children were born.  Rena was a devoted and proud mother who taught all her children to trust and believe in God. She would have each of her children learn and read passages of the Bible from an early age. She attended church regularly and always took her children with her. Rena loved the Lord and one of her deepest desires was for her family to love the Lord and love each other.

After retirement, James and Rena Godbee decided to move to Orangeburg, South Carolina to live out their golden years. A regular at New Springfield Baptist Church, she would always talk to people about the sermons given each week and the joy they would bring her.  Her famous saying when talking to people was "I love you and God loves you".

Leisurely, Rena loved many things outside of work including her family, drawing, reading the Bible, caring for plants, and animals.  A lover of Christ, Rena would spend her free time reading the Bible and sharing her thoughts on the scriptures and listening to gospel music. Her house was always filled with various plants which she took great care of by watering them, talking to them, and taking great joy in watching them grow. Rena was a lover of animals including dogs, cats, and fish. When she lived on West 63rd Street in Manhattan she had dogs. When she moved downtown to East 23rd, dogs were not allowed.  She, instead, got cats and fish. She always found a way to have pets to love in her life.

Mother Rena Louise Godbee completed her life’s journey peacefully at her residence in Cameron, SC.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Trustee James Godbee, Sr., and one son Mr. James Godbee, Jr.

Fond memories of her life will forever be cherished by Her (2) daughters: Vanessa and Valerie Godbee; (2) Sons: Jaylen and Kevin Godbee; (4) Grandchildren: Jairus, Ammar, Imani and Kai Godbee; (1) Daughter-in-law: Michelle Godbee, a Cousin Peggy Brabham along with a host of other cousins, relatives and sorrowing friends.

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