On Monday, August 18, 2025, Clara Ann Godwin Jacobs, our beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, was called home to be with the Lord.

Born in Smithfield, Virginia, Clara was the daughter of the late Pastor Alfred P. and Alene B. Godwin. In 1962, she married the love of her life, the late John Russell Jacobs, and together they shared a beautiful life filled with devotion and joy.

A proud graduate of Huntington High School, Class of 1960, Clara later continued her education at Thomas Nelson Community College, earning her Associate's Degree in 1975. She went on to dedicate more than 30 years of faithful service to her community through the Newport News Magistrate's Office and later the Newport News Sheriff's Department.

Clara's faith was the cornerstone of her life. Through her steadfast servitude as a devoted member at Rhema Christian Center, which later became Mountain Moving Faith Church, she served diligently as Head of the Usher Board and as a Deacon. Through these roles, she welcomed, guided, and encouraged countless people, leaving behind a legacy of love, compassion, and steadfast faith.

She was preceded in death by her husband, John Russell Jacobs; her cherished granddaughter, Faith Monea Jacobs; her siblings Alfred, Spurgeon, Carter, John Wayne Godwin, Roslyn Mikell, Natalia Giles, Joan Godwin, and Clara's twin sister, Carrie Godwin.

Clara leaves to cherish her memories her children, Shawn Russell Jacobs (Belinda) and Toni Jacobs Dixon (Parish). Her lovely grandchildren, Russell Tynes, Jon Jacobs (Courtney), Naisa Jacobs, and Aniya Johnson; her great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; brothers Julius Godwin (Barbara) and George Godwin; sister, Jane Goodspeed; godchildren Shenea Rhanes, Charlene Blow, and  Deonta Barnes her devoted best friends, Clementine Williams and Delois Holman; along with many nieces, nephews, spiritual children, and a host of extended family and loved ones.

Clara will always be remembered as a woman of strength, grace, and unwavering faith. Her love and dedication touched every life she encountered, and though she will be deeply missed, her spirit and example will live on in all who were blessed to know her.

"Well done,(Clara) my good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." Matthew 25:23

Viewing will be held Sunday, August 24, 2025 from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. at Cooke Bros. Funeral Chapel, 1601-27th Street, Newport News, Va. A funeral service will be held 11:00 a.m. Monday, August 25, 2025 at Mountain Moving Faith Outreach Church, 1700-27th Street, Newport News,Va. Interment will follow in Hampton Memorial Gardens.