Sandra Kay Brake Godwin

She was born Saturday, July 10, 1948, in Elkins, West Virginia. She was the daughter of the late Ralph Vincent Brake and Opal Francis Carr Brake.

On Aug. 6, 1966, in Elkins, she married Austin Joseph Godwin of Elkins, who survives. She is survived by her only daughter, Julia Godwin Brumfield, of Elkins; her only granddaughter, Lauren Brumfield, of Manhattan, New York. She has three younger brothers, Daniel Brake (Robin), of Dayton, Washington; Steve Brake (Lou), of Weston; and Timothy Brake (Edie), of Elkins. She had a special niece, Lavada Yoakum (Mike), of Elkins; greatniece, Angela Wickline (Jason), of Elkins; and great-great-nieces, Madison and Sydney Wickline, of Elkins. Sandra is also survived by many nephews, nieces and cousins.

She was preceded in death by one brother, Benjamin Brake.

Sandra began her education in a one room school house, The Weese School, continued at Elkins Middle School, and graduated in 1966 from Elkins High School.

Sandra was deeply involved with her community. She was an active member of Davis Memorial Presbyterian Church, where she held various offices and positions. She was a leader of the Gilman Seneca 4-H Club and wore many hats within the Randolph County 4-H Program. She loved spending her time with the West Virginia Community Educational Outreach Service, Rebekah Lodge of Montrose, Kerens/Montrose Craft Club, and the GFWC Woman’s Club of Elkins. She served on various committees for the Mountain State Forest Festival and was instrumental with costume design and construction of Woodly the Elf for the Forest Festival. She was elected to the Randolph County Republican Executive Committee and enjoyed assisting with Randolph County early election voting. Sandra also worked part-time at McManus Gifts and Ideal Material Shop, both in Elkins.

Sandra loved sharing stories with family and friends. One of her favorites being her exciting foreign exchange trip to Russia with the 4-H Club in 1996. Her host family welcomed her with open arms and integrated her into Russian culture — like fetching raw milk from a milk truck and hitchhiking to neighboring towns to meet their friends. Sandra made many meaningful, lasting relationships that helped her develop a lifelong appreciation for Russian culture.

Sandra greatly enjoyed working with her hands. She was highly skilled in sewing, quilting, crafting, and anything artistic. She also had a green thumb and had a soft spot for all animals. She was an avid reader and always read the last chapter of a book first, “Just so I know what I’m getting myself into.”

Sandra, above all, deeply loved her family, friends, and community. She was known not just as Sandra, but also, mom, aunt sandy, and gram.

The family will receive friends at the Lohr & Barb Funeral Home of Elkins from 4 to 7 p.m., Wednesday. Final Rites will be conducted at the funeral home, Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024, at 11 a.m. The Rev. Rich Cardot will officiate and interment will follow at the Brick Church Cemetery at Huttonsville, West Virginia.

The family suggests that expressions of sympathy be in the form of contributions to the Randolph County Humane Society, P. O. Box 785, Elkins, WV 26241.

The Lohr & Barb Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements for Sandra Kay Brake Godwin.

Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.lohrbarbfuneralhome.com.