Kathleen Tipton

Kathleen Marie Godfrey Tipton, a Tampa resident, passed away on February 19, 2015 at the age of 67, from natural causes. Born in New Orleans Louisiana, on 10/7/1947, to Carroll B. And Emelda Green Godfrey, she was a lifelong Catholic and advocate for children's rights, the New Orleans Saints, and the Tampa Bay Rays. She served in the United States Navy for eighteen years, at the rank of Yeoman 1st Class Petty Officer, in departments including Intelligence, Chaplaincy, and Recruiting Command. The many awards and honors she received during her service included 20 Gold Wreaths, three Meritorious Unit Commendations (Bronze Stars), and two Navy Achievement medals. However, Kathleen felt her best accomplishments were her daughters and grandchildren. She was predeceased by her parents; her sister, Marilyn Godfrey Gorman, and her beloved grandson, Richard Michael Tipton. She is survived by her daughters, Heather Tipton and Holly Tipton Hamby (James); three grandchildren, Ciera Perez, James Arley Hamby IV, and Lucy Hamby; two sisters, Dorothy McDowell (Michael) and Shari Godfrey; and many family members and friends whose lives she greatly enriched. She will be cremated and per her request, her ashes will be scattered at sea by the U.S. Navy. Her memorial service will be held at a later date at Mayport Naval Base. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Wounded Warrior Project or the Donate Life campaign. The family is incredibly thankful to the doctors and nurses of James A. Haley VA Hospital, especially the staff of 7 North, who always took care of Kathleen with the upmost skill and compassion. A liver transplant saved her in 2004, and the family is eternally grateful for this gift of life. BUCKLE UP!