Miss Esther Ruth Godbey, 82, of Omaha passed into the more immediate presence of the Savior on August 20, 2014. She was born December 13, 1931 in the tiny town of Bradshaw, Nebraska to the Rev. Luther Dobbs Godbey and Ruth Thomas Godbey. She was a career librarian. The daughter of a Methodist minister and a music teacher, her life was informed by faith and inspired by music.

She graduated from Nebraska Wesleyan University in 1953 with a degree in History. While in college, she was a member of the Delta Zeta Sorority and part of the Cardinal Key, Phi Kappa Phi, and Phi Gamma Mu honor societies. She went on to complete an MA in History from the University of Kansas in 1969, and then an MA in Library and Information Science from the University of Iowa in 1977. She served as librarian at military base libraries in Germany and Japan, and then at Creighton University Medical Library in Omaha. She loved traveling and experiencing different cultures, and particularly loved living in Tokyo for many years. She was fascinated by ancient cultures, and one of her favorite trips was to Egypt to see the pyramids.

She was an active member of Countryside Community Church, and after her retirement from Creighton helped organize the church library there. She had an active circle of friends at church and from Creighton, and from her neighborhood that she enjoyed activities with. Following surgery for a mitral valve problem, she was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia. Though treatment and transfusions helped her to have an active life for a while, she grew weaker until she passed away in her sleep on August 20.

Ruth was predeceased by her parents, the Rev. Luther Dobbs Godbey and Ruth Thomas Godbey, her brothers John Godbey and David Godbey, and her sister Mary Evelyn Jackman and brother-in-law James E. Jackman. Surviving are her brother Thomas Godbey and wife Elsie of Kapaa, Hawaii; sister-in-law Greta Godbey of Ardmore, Pennsylvania; and nieces and nephews Patrick Godbey of New Orleans, LA, Emily Godbey of Ames, IA, Nicholas Godbey and wife Alice of Grapevine, TX, Charles Godbey and wife Helena of Chicago, IL, Margaret Godbey Hellen and husband David of Hartsville, SC, John Jackman and wife Debra of Lewisville, NC, and Stephen Jackman of Raleigh, NC; and numerous great-nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews of whom she was inordinately proud.

A service to celebrate her life was held at 2pm Friday, September 12 in the chapel at Countryside Community Church, 8787 Pacific Street in Omaha, with the Reverend Chris Alexander presiding and arrangements by Braman Mortuary. Memorials in her honor may be sent to the church. To leave a condolence, visit www.bramanmortuary.com.