Willie Godfrey Lennon

Willie Godfrey Lennon was born on September 25, 1946, in Tampa, Florida. He was the fourth of six children born to the Mr. Charlie Lennon and wife, Wilma Lennon.


After graduating high school, Godfrey left home to attend St. Petersburg Junior College at Gibbs Campus, to study Political Science. While there, he participated in the debate team, and he became President of the Student Government. This is where he met his future wife, Johnese Elizabeth Stonom. She was Vice-President of the Student Government.


On August 25, 1968, in Wabasso, Florida, W. Godfrey Lennon married Johnese Stonom, the daughter of Rev. John Daniel Stonom, Sr. and wife, Mrs. Evelyn Ossie Stonom. Shortly after getting married, Godfrey was drafted to the US Army and as sent to Vietnam. After Godfrey he was honorably discharged, he would start working for Southern Bell (later known as BellSouth) where he stayed until his retirement in 2005. In 1973 Godfrey and Johnese welcomed their only child, Katryna Elease Lennon.


In 1987, after the passing of Johnese’s father, she accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Lord and Savior. Around this time, Godfrey accepted the Lord into his heart, and Johnese led her daughter to Christ as well. This began the fire in him to be a disciple for Christ, and to his boldness to share the Good News.


Godfrey and Johnese became Evangelists. They started a Street Ministry on A. Philip Randolph Boulevard, to minister to anyone who would listen. Godfrey would visit prisoners on death row while Johnese would also write to death row inmates and visit inmates at the minimum-security prison in Starke, Florida. Godfrey and Johnese continued ministering to people on A. Philip Randolph Boulevard a couple of years before the Lord led them to Wayman Chapel A.M.E. Church, where Rev. Mark L Griffin was the pastor.


In 1999, Godfrey and Johnese were blessed with their only grandchild, Jonathan Daniyel Lennon. Godfrey was a devoted grandfather and made sure to spend as much time as he could with Jonathan and was always there when he was needed. Godfrey encouraged his education and was Jonathan’s biggest fan when Jonathan showed interest in music.


In 2010, Godfrey and his family came to Philip R. Cousin A.M.E. Church, where the Reverend Eugene Mosley was the pastor. While attending the church, he was a member of the Adult Sunday School Class.
 

After the passing of his wife of 50 years, Godfrey’s health started to decline.

Godfrey went home to be with the Lord on Friday, October 3, 2025. He leaves behind to mourn his passing: a loving daughter Katryna Lennon; his only grandchild, Jonathan Lennon; 3 sisters, Dolores Verriett (husband Charles Verriett deceased) of Tampa, Florida: Wilma Lennon Smith (husband Anthony Smith) of Tampa, Florida and Sandra Lennon Moten (husband Anthony Moten) of Tallahassee, Florida. His only brother, Charles Lennon (Wife Mozella Lennon, deceased) sadly passed away the very next day, October 4, 2025. 

Preceding Godfrey in death was his sister, Florence Lennon; his father, Charlie Lennon and his mother Wilma Lennon.  

He leaves behind a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and many sorrowing friends.  

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