Godfrey, Linda R.
(born: 1947)Linda R. Godfrey, born in Lexington, KY, has been a leader on several fronts since graduating in 1965 from old Henry Clay High School [on Main Street]. She was a member of the second integrated class to graduate from the school.
Godfrey, a nurse, has worked at several locations in Lexington. She was a case manager and diabetes nurse specialist at the Veterans Affairs (VA) Hospital, Troy Bowling Campusl off Cooper Drive on Veterans Drive in Lexington, where she provided outreach and care coordination for returning combat veterans.
A retired Army Nurse, Godfrey had served (1985-2000) with the 475th MASH hospital unit out of Frankfort, KY. She also taught health education classes at multiple military hospitals throughout the U.S. and in Japan, Ecuador, and Barbados and served as an Army nurse in Saudi Arabia and Iraq during Operation Desert Storm in 1991. She received an Army commendation medal and has received a number of awards for her work with veterans, including the Federal Woman of the Year in 2000.
In Lexington, Godfrey was a board member of Hospice when the program was being developed in 1977, coordinating volunteers. For 13 years she taught pediatric nursing and basic medical surgical nursing at Kentucky State University and was later a part-time lecturer for the clinical labs and nursing programs. Godfrey also taught health education and diabetes classes throughout the year at local churches.
Godfrey served two terms as president of the Northside Neighborhood Association, one of the oldest and largest neighborhood associations in Lexington. As an original member, she served as chairperson of the Historic Preservation Commission of the Fayette-Urban County Government. She also completed two terms as vice-chair of the Fayette-Urban County Planning Commission.
Linda Godfrey is a graduate of the Appalachian School of Practical Nursing [which was on Warren Court in Lexington], where she earned her LPN degree in 1968. In 1972, she earned her RN degree from Lexington Community College [now Bluegrass Community and Technical College] and in 1980 graduated with honors from the University of Kentucky College of Nursing. She is a charter member of the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, Delta Psi Chapter.
Godfrey, who grew up in Kinkeadtown, KY, attends the Mount Calvary Baptist Church in Pricetown, KY, which was founded by her great grandfather, Matthew Garner. Pricetown is one of the Negro hamlets founded at the end of enslavement.
This entry was submitted by William Anthony Goatley with detailed information from Linda Godfrey.