Derek Godfrey Obituary

Derek Cameron Godfrey, age 37 was born on October 15, 1987, in Memphis, TN. Derek left this life on January 12, 2025, where he received his final reward in the arms of Jesus. Derek can be best described by all who knew him as a "Difference Maker." A genuine person who made a significant impact, with the smallest of actions; someone who improved the lives of others! Once you met Derek, he had a way of making you feel like you had known each other forever. Derek was kind, caring, and a worrier. If he knew you had trials in your life he was concerned and would always remember to ask you about the situation and your family the next time he saw you. Derek was also very talkative, observant, inquisitive, funny and had a great memory! This was how he got to know you so well in your brief or lengthy encounter! He asked lots of questions! Especially what kind of car you drove, and you could rest assured the next time he saw you he remembered to ask you about your car as he recalled the exact make and model! Derek loved his family! He loved his biological and non-biological family, especially his mom Regina, whom he worried about often. He loved his church family at Fairview Baptist Church where he was saved and baptized, and his Providence Missionary Baptist Church family where he was a proud member. He also loved his Special Olympics and Focus families and cherished his relationship with all of them. But the one thing Derek enjoyed the most was "Time" specifically the time he got to spend with each of you! Whether going out to eat, going for a drive, getting a Coffee or Diet Coke, a brief encounter or maybe a lengthy funny story (of which he had many) meant the world to him. We hope Derek knew how much our time with him meant to us as well as the lasting imprint he has left on our hearts! Derek was preceded in death by his grandparents, Kenneth and Norma Hillen and Bill and Glenda Godfrey; his uncle Johnny Hillen. Survivors include his mother Regina Cox (Rodney); father Bill Godfrey Jr; brothers Brian Godfrey (Lonnie Dillard) and Dustin Godfrey (Betty); sister, Crystal Godfrey, Chassity Rathke (Brad) and Kristina Cox (Jesse Woods); nephews and nieces, Logan Warner, Kileigh Warner, Anistyn Hadley, Vicki Lynn, Sarah, Paige, James, Jep, Barry Allen, Carlee and Lillian; Special friend and former teacher Vonnie Greer, lifelong friend Wesley Hathcoat and several other nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family. The family will receive friends Tuesday, January 21, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Phillips Funeral Home. The funeral service will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 22, at Providence Missionary Baptist Church at Lafe with Mike Hoggard officiating. Burial will follow at Providence Cemetery. Dustin Godfrey, Brian Godfrey, Bobby Lee Tucker, Joseph Burgess, Jason Godfrey, and Anthony Tucker will serve as pallbearers. Logan Warner, Levi, Burgess, and Zayden Burgess will serve as honorary pallbearers. To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.