[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 58 (Thursday, May 5, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E907]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      RECOGNIZING MARY NELL GODBEY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. NICK J. RAHALL, II

                            of west virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 5, 2005

  Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, the wonderful state of West Virginia has 
known many great Americans. My neighbors in southern West Virginia each 
have their own interesting story, they are all a pleasure for me to 
represent. Today, I am here to recognize Mary Nell Godbey who passed 
away at the end of April.
  Mary Nell Godbey was an outstanding member of her community. As a WVU 
Extension Agent in Raleigh County, she helped southern West Virginians 
on a daily basis.
  My thoughts and prayers are with her family during this difficult 
time. She touched so many people's lives throughout her many years and 
will surely be missed.
  I also ask that the following article from the Register-Herald in 
Beckley be printed in the Congressional Record after these remarks. Bev 
Davis, a friend and former co-worker of Mary Nell Godbey, wrote this 
column which shows how well loved Ms. Godbey was in southern West 
Virginia.

         Beloved WVU Extension Agent Leaves Great Legacy Behind

                             (By Bev Davis)

       ``Call Mary Nell.'' Those were words I heard repeatedly 
     when I worked at the West Virginia University Area Extension 
     Office in Beckley. Area division leader Oscar Hutchison was 
     my boss, overseeing the nine-county WVU Extension offices.
       Mary Nell Godbey was a WVU extension agent for Raleigh 
     County, and everything that had to do with homemaking, food 
     preparation, food preservation and hand crafts fell under the 
     umbrella of her expertise.
       She taught workshops on everything from decoupage, macrame 
     and quilting to canning foods and how to get mold off your 
     carpet.
       When I saw her obituary in our newspaper this week, it 
     really hurt to accept the fact she's gone. I remember her as 
     such a lady--always impeccably dressed and a woman who always 
     conducted herself with such dignity.
       At the same time, she was warm, friendly and willing to 
     help.
       Mary Nell was a virtual encyclopedia of knowledge for all 
     of us and for hundreds of callers. I lost count of the times 
     I told someone, ``Call Mary Nell Godbey. If anyone knows the 
     answer to your question, she will.''
       A gentle woman with a great sense of humor, Mary Nell made 
     friends easily. She made me laugh often, and I probably use 
     something I learned from her almost every day of my life.
       She was a lady with a quiet spiritual faith, and I know her 
     long absence because of illness has left some big shoes to 
     fill at First Baptist Church in Beckley, where she was a 
     member for many years.
       I'm sure I speak for a huge community of people when I 
     extend my deepest condolences to Mary Nell's family. Her 
     influence had a wide impact, and her passing leaves a vacant 
     spot in our hearts.
       In passing on her legacy, Mary Nell would want me to sound 
     a trumpet for the organization to which she dedicated so much 
     of her life.
       As we have moved away from a more agrarian lifestyle, the 
     function and scope of the WVU Extension has changed a great 
     deal over the years.
       It is, nevertheless, still a vital resource for our 
     communities.
       The county offices provide a wealth of information on 
     homemaking, gardening, help for working women, parenting--
     just about any topic that enhances daily living.
       I know Mary Nell would want me to remind people to think of 
     a WVU Extension office first when a question comes to mind. 
     She has passed the torch to a new generation of agents who 
     are eager to make a difference in their community.
       During the years I've worked at the newspaper, it's been 
     rewarding to refer callers to this agency for help. Because 
     of all the dedicated extension agents still around, it's a 
     pleasure to say to someone on the phone, ``Call the WVU 
     Extension office. If anyone can answer that question, they 
     can.''
       The next time I say that, however, it will become a tribute 
     to Mary Nell.