Obituary for Winnifred Winfrey (Norris)
Winnifred Faye Norris-Winfrey, was born the third child and only daughter of John L. and Thelma Norris in Marshall, Texas on February 8, 1942. Winnie was baptized in New Bethel Baptist Church, Marshall, Texas.
Winnie was blessed with a melodious voice. Her primary ministry was singing in the choir. She unselfishly shared this gift until her health failed.
She later joined Peoples Missionary Baptist Church under the pastorage of Reverend U. Bailey. During this time, she taught “Watch Care” at the St. Violet Baptist Church where Rev. Billy P. Cleaver was pastor. At St. Violet, she continued to be a part of the music ministry.
She graduated from H. B. Pemberton High School and Prairie View A&M University where she obtained both an undergraduate and a Master’s Degree in Education.
Miss Winnie”, as she was referred to, loved teaching. Her career started in St. Louis, Missouri; then to Bossier City, Louisiana. She retired from Chapel Hill in Tyler after forty-nine (49) years in education. Her desire to work with children was so great, after her retirement that she did substitute teaching in the Marshall Independent School District.
Winnie was a true believer in the Lord Jesus Christ and exemplified her Christianity in such a practical and daily lifestyle.
She married Ralph Winfrey and to this union one (1) son, Clinton Rayale Winfrey was born.
She was preceded in death by her parents, John L. and Thelma; husband, Ralph Winfrey; brother, James Earl Norris; and niece-sister, Bettye Marie Norris.
She leaves to mourn her passing, a son, Clinton Rayale Winfrey; brother, Herbert (Evelyn) Norris; sister-in-law, Sylvia Norris; nephews, Darrell Deon, James Tyrone, and Victor Deveraux Norris; nieces, Herbevelynne D. Norris, and Regina Robertson; god-sister, Jamesha Ross; god-son, Andy Andrews; adopted family members, Samantha McPhail and Dorothy Frison; a host of other relatives and friends.
Winnie was blessed with a melodious voice. Her primary ministry was singing in the choir. She unselfishly shared this gift until her health failed.
She later joined Peoples Missionary Baptist Church under the pastorage of Reverend U. Bailey. During this time, she taught “Watch Care” at the St. Violet Baptist Church where Rev. Billy P. Cleaver was pastor. At St. Violet, she continued to be a part of the music ministry.
She graduated from H. B. Pemberton High School and Prairie View A&M University where she obtained both an undergraduate and a Master’s Degree in Education.
Miss Winnie”, as she was referred to, loved teaching. Her career started in St. Louis, Missouri; then to Bossier City, Louisiana. She retired from Chapel Hill in Tyler after forty-nine (49) years in education. Her desire to work with children was so great, after her retirement that she did substitute teaching in the Marshall Independent School District.
Winnie was a true believer in the Lord Jesus Christ and exemplified her Christianity in such a practical and daily lifestyle.
She married Ralph Winfrey and to this union one (1) son, Clinton Rayale Winfrey was born.
She was preceded in death by her parents, John L. and Thelma; husband, Ralph Winfrey; brother, James Earl Norris; and niece-sister, Bettye Marie Norris.
She leaves to mourn her passing, a son, Clinton Rayale Winfrey; brother, Herbert (Evelyn) Norris; sister-in-law, Sylvia Norris; nephews, Darrell Deon, James Tyrone, and Victor Deveraux Norris; nieces, Herbevelynne D. Norris, and Regina Robertson; god-sister, Jamesha Ross; god-son, Andy Andrews; adopted family members, Samantha McPhail and Dorothy Frison; a host of other relatives and friends.