Helen Overbay

Helen Godsey Overbay, age 105, died June 8, 2018. She was the daughter of William Clinton Godsey and Lynn Corns Godsey of Bristol, TN. She was a 1933 graduate of Emory and Henry College, where she was a member of Alpha Beta Chi Sorority. Helen was a long time member of First Broad Street United Methodist Church, Kingsport. She was a member of the Sanctuary Choir, the United Methodist Women, the Crusade Class, and the Lunch Bunch. Helen was a former member of the Women's Symphony Committee and a Cub Scout Den Mother. She was our beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt in the family - our rock.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Paul L. Overbay, Sr.; daughter, Carolynn Peters Byers and husband John; son, Cyrus Emil Peters and wife Lyn; infant son, William Godsey Peters; son, Paul L. Overbay, Jr.; brothers, William Clinton Godsey, Jr. and wife Miriam of Princeton, NJ, Edwin Godsey of Charlotte, NC, Dr. John Drew Godsey and wife Emalee of Bethesda, MD; and sister, Eloise (Ella) Godsey Horner and husband Dick of Bristol, VA.

Helen is survived by her daughters, Eloise Shivell and husband Jeff of Kingsport; Zelma Overbay Stroud of Brentwood, TN; daughter-in-law, Anne Overbay of Kingsport; grandchildren, William Paul Byers of Kingsport, Philip Shivell and wife Christine of Kingsport, Genevieve Shivell Byrd and husband Anthony of Maryville, Karen Peters Belcher and husband Mike of Kingsport, Perry Peters and wife Tracy of Kingsport, Brenda Stroud Head and husband Keith of Brentwood, TN, Robert Stroud and wife Linda of Franklin, TN, Paul Overbay III and wife Sarah of Johnson City, Jon Overbay and wife Dina of Johnson City, Ted Overbay and wife Candice of Joneborough; nineteen great grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild.

Graveside services will be conducted at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, June 12, 2018, at Oak Hill Memorial Park.

A Celebration of Life will be at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, June 12, 2018, at St. Christopher's Episcopal Church (Colonial Heights). The family will receive friends at the church following the service.

Pallbearers will be William Paul Byers, Philip Jefferson Shivell III, Perry Andrew Peters, Robert Gaines Stroud, Jr., Paul Laningham Overbay III, Jonathan Henry Overbay, James Theodore Overbay, and Mike Belcher.

Donations may be made to First Broad Street United Methodist Church, 100 E Church Cir, Kingsport, TN 37660; St. Christophers Episcopal Church, 584 Lebanon Rd, Kingsport, TN 37663; or to the charity of one's choice.

A special thank you to mother's caregivers in her last years, Debra Likens, Pamela Lane, Laura Cearnal, Jean Shelton, Teresa Davis, and Asbury Place/Baysmont for the wonderful care in her final days.

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