Faye Annette Godfrey Allison

Faye Annette Godfrey Allison, 82, of Summerville, SC, entered into eternal rest Sunday, May 18, 2025.

Faye was born September 22, 1942, in Charleston, SC, daughter of the late Moultrie Godfrey and Lois Locklair Godfrey. As the eldest of three, she was the devoted and in-charge big sister to Harriet and Ted. The three spent their childhood growing up near the Carolina coast, and remained the truest of siblings to the end.

In 1965 she met Lieutenant (jg) Dennis Allison who was stationed at Charleston Naval Base. The two married in 1966; in Dennis she gained a lifelong partner (they celebrated their 58th anniversary in December) along with his unfettered admiration. As a Navy wife, Faye learned to manage the challenges of long deployments, building a new life and holding down the homefront in new and different locations.

In 1968, they welcomed their first daughter, Donna Marie. Born with special needs, Donna became the center of Faye’s world, and the bond they shared transcended that of a typical mother and child. Daughters Brenda and Kristina followed, completing the family. Faye and Dennis raised their three girls in the Washington, DC area, creating a home that fostered acceptance, resilience, and devotion to family.

Faye’s professional life was as dynamic as her personality. She worked in both education and the medical field before embarking on a long career in human resources within the federal government, retiring from the FDA. Known for her organization and lack of fear in the face of complicated situations, Faye carried these skills into all aspects of her life, including orchestrating full-day beach outings to Isle of Palms, sandwiches and cold drinks unfailingly in tow.

In 2002, Faye and Dennis retired and returned to Charleston to be closer to family—and the ocean. Dennis, Faye and Donna made an art out of beach-going, making the most of their time along the Carolina coast for as many years as they could. At this time she found her church home at Crosstowne Church where her faith grew and was expressed in love and care for others. Faye attracted deep friendships throughout her life—her dynamism, wit, and fierce loyalty leaving lasting impressions.

The later years of Faye’s life were marked by the struggles with Parkinson’s Disease, which ultimately robbed her of her ability to formulate the words of wisdom and wry observations that she was so accustomed to share with those around her.

Mother’s Day 2025 would be Faye’s last—bittersweet, but fitting, as she embraced motherhood with her whole being. She lived her life in loving service to her daughters, especially Donna, whose needs she lovingly attended to every day.

Faye’s smiling eyes will be missed by so many, but not the least of which the family that survives her including her adoring husband Dennis Allison, her three daughters, Donna Allison, Brenda (Timothy) Rapp, and Kristina (Brit Fontenot) Allison and her 5 grandchildren, Josiah, Hannah, and Daniel Rapp; and Max and Remy Fontenot. She also has many relatives in the Charleston area who will miss her including Elizabeth Godfrey, Harriet Grace and Marcia Godfrey. Although we miss her, we rejoice that is with our Lord and Savior, and in Him we put our hope even as we grieve, for in Christ “death has been swallowed up in victory.” (1 Cor 15:54)

She was preceded in death by her parents and her younger brother, Ted Godfrey.

Her Memorial Service will be held Friday, May 23, 2025 in the Crosstowne Christian Church, 1941 Bees Ferry Rd., Charleston, at 2:00 PM.

The family requests that, instead of sending flowers, donations be made to Beyond BASIC Life Skills in Summerville, SC, or to any charity of your choice.

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