Taught in Charlotte, Gastonia, Asheville and Salisbury
BELMONT — Mercy Sister Mary Julia Godwin died Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020, in Marian Center, Sacred Heart Convent, Belmont. She was 92 and had been a Sister of Mercy for 72 years.
Sister Julia was born in Benson, N.C., the daughter of Enoch Godwin Sr. and Florence Inez Smith. The fifth of 15 children – nine girls and six boys – she was a descendent of the Godwin and Monk families who embraced Catholicism in Newton Grove in 1871. Julia attended Holy Redeemer School in Newton Grove and Meadow High School in Benson. She then earned a baccalaureate degree in social studies from Belmont Abbey College.
Sister Julia entered the Sisters of Mercy in 1949 and chose as her ring motto “Jesus Through Mary.” She studied nursing at Mercy Hospital for two years and then moved on to education. She taught at Sacred Heart Grade School, Salisbury; St. Gabriel’s and St. Patrick’s, Charlotte; St. Michael School, Gastonia; St. Eugene, Asheville; St. Agnes, Greenport, Long Island, N.Y,; and Holy Angels, Belmont.
In addition, Sister Julia spent several years at Nazareth Orphanage in Raleigh. Her ministries at Holy Angels and in the orphanage meant the most to her. She maintained her friendships with the residents of the orphanage to this day.
A people’s person, Sister Julia never met a stranger. She loved community service, visiting the sick and working with the poor. And she loved to travel. Her favorite place to relax was in the mountains at Lake Lure. In retirement she wrote the history of Nazareth Orphanage and the genealogy of her family. She was known as a quiet person who prayed quietly and worked with others quietly. Mostly she was known for her friendships and service to others.
Sister Julia is survived by the Sisters of Mercy; her brothers, Anthony and George Godwin of Benson; and her sisters, Anna Dupree of Raleigh, Agnes Keating of Holden Beach, and Frances Fisher of Southport.
Interment will be at Belmont Abbey Cemetery. All services are private because of the pandemic. Memorials may be sent to the Sisters of Mercy, Sacred Heart Convent, Belmont, North Carolina 28012.
McLean Funeral Home in Belmont is in charge of the arrangements.
— Catholic News Herald
MOCKSVILLE — Deacon John Otto Zimmerle, formerly of Statesville, went home to the Lord on Nov. 27, 2020. He was living with his daughter and son-in-law in Dingmans Ferry, Pa., and they were at his side when he passed.
Friends are invited to pay their respects at Davie Funeral Chapel in Mocksville, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020. The Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 4, 2020, at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Mocksville, officiated by Father Eric Kowalski, pastor. Joining the service will be the U.S. Coast Guard to present military honors, as well as the VFW Memorial Honor Guard. Interment will follow at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery in Salisbury.
Born in Passaic, N.J., on April 14, 1940, he was the son of the late William and Helen (Lenore) Zimmerle. He was a graduate of Ramsey High School’s Class of 1958 in Ramsey, N.J., and served with the U.S. Coast Guard as a Radioman Second Class Petty Officer on the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Half Moon. He retired from the John Boyle Co., where he was an Eastern regional sales manager.
He served St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Mocksville from June 2001 to his retirement in October 2014. Deacon Zimmerle preached homilies and assisted at Mass, assisted with marriage preparation for couples, witnessed many marriages, served on the parish building committee, co-assisted on the oversight of the parish’s RCIA program, and held many more titles.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife Ladis Zimmerle. He will be cherished by his children: John-Michael (Tami) of Spanish Fork, Utah; Susan Marie Cawley (Ron) of Dingmans Ferry; William Edward (Dawn) of Levittown, Pa.; and Mary Elyse Zimmerle of San Francisco; and 11 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.
He was also preceded in death by his brother, William, and survived by his brother Alan (Joanne) of Manchester, N.H., and his sister-in-law, Cathy of Ringwood, N.J.; and a niece and nephew.
Memorials may be considered to the parish’s Knights of Columbus, Prayer Quilt Ministry or Food Pantry Ministry.
Davie Funeral Service of Mocksville is in charge of the arrangements.
— Catholic News Herald