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March 14, 1955 – Nov. 8, 2024

NATCHEZ – Services were held for Laura Ann Breland Godfrey, 69, of Natchez at First Presbyterian Church, on Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, with Rev. Dr. Joan Gandy officiating. Burial followed the service at the Natchez City Cemetery under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Laura Godfrey was born on March 14, 1955, in Collins, MS, the daughter of Hugh Greg Breland and Ruth McInnis Breland. She graduated from S. H. Blair High School in Hattiesburg, attended the University of Mississippi, and graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi. She met William Edward Godfrey, III, a petroleum geologist, on a visit to Natchez in 1983 and married him soon after. She and Ed, who predeceased her in 2017, were a dynamic duo. Immediately upon marrying Ed and moving to Natchez, Laura became involved in community activities. She played an important volunteer role in the Historic Natchez Foundation’s early efforts in downtown revitalization. Her volunteerism soon evolved into downtown business ownership, when she acquired a downtown restaurant that operated as The Fare.

Laura also played an important professional role in the community as Director of Public Relations for the Natchez Convention and Visitors Bureau, as the Southwest Mississippi representative on the Mississippi Film Commission, and ultimately as President/CEO of the Natchez-Adams County Chamber of Commerce. As her professional life expanded, so did her volunteerism, which usually went hand-in-hand with her professional employment. Laura and Ed both played major roles as members of the Natchez Balloon Festival committee, which Laura chaired for many years. Laura was also instrumental in the founding of the Natchez Food and Wine Festival, and she and Ed launched the Lake St. John Flotilla in 1992 to celebrate the Fourth of July. This event celebrated its 32nd anniversary this year. Laura and Ed were members of First Presbyterian Church, where Laura was active on the Flower Committee. She was also a member of the Natchez Garden Club, which benefitted from her volunteerism.

Laura was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her niece, Caroline Shields Brown, and her nephew, Coyle Sessions Brown.

She is survived by her son, William Edward Godfrey IV; brother, Greg Breland, Jr. of New Orleans; brother, Allen Breland and wife, Mitzi, of Forest, MS; brother-in-law, Rev. Samuel B. Godfrey and wife, Patty of Vicksburg, MS; nephew, Jackson Breland and wife, Megan of Memphis, TN; niece, Marianna Hoff and husband, Brian of New York, NY; nephew, Russell Godfrey of Los Angeles, CA; nephew, Larry Brown and wife, Mattie of Natchez; cousin, Ralph (Trippy) B. Shields III of Vidalia; and a number of great nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers were Jackson Breland, Larry Brown, Carter Burns, Russell Godfrey, Scott Hanson, and Sam Kirby. Honorary pallbearers were Peter Burns, Mark Coffey, John Faulkenberry, Johnny Lemons, Ritchie Montgomery, Jimmy McCarstle, Ken Price, and Trippy Shields.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church of Natchez, Pastor’s Discretionary Fund, 400 State St, Natchez, MS 39120, the Historic Natchez Foundation,

1. O. Box 1761, Natchez, MS 39121, or a charity of your choice.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at lairdfh.com.