Lonnie Ray Winborne

Published 12:01 am Wednesday, February 21, 2018

June 26, 1926 – Feb. 18, 2018

NATCHEZ — Services for Lonnie Ray Winborne, 91, of Springfield, Tenn., formerly of Natchez, who died Sunday, Feb. 18, 2018, in Springfield, will be 10 a.m. Thursday at Laird Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Howard Peak officiating.

Burial will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today and from 9 a.m. until service time Thursday at the funeral home.

Mr. Winborne was born June 26, 1926, in Lincoln County, the son of Jesse Armstrong Winborne and Hettie Rogene Allen Winborne.

A man of the greatest generation, his family all described him as their hero. He was extremely modest — so if he heard that praise, he would most likely turn red and say “no, no, no. I just did what anyone would do, but thank you.”

His siblings saw him as a hero for taking care of them. He left school after the eighth grade to take care of them and the farm. At the tender age of 16 he married Darkis Smith, so she could come help him with the farm. It must have been love because they were happily married for 74 years.

He served as a master sergeant in the U.S. Army on the western front in World War II. He served in the Philippines and was based out of Seoul, Korea. According to his brother, J.D., when the war was over the army wanted him to stay but he said, “no thanks, I’ll be on my way.” About three years ago, he flew to Washington D.C. on the Honor Flight Tour to see the World War II Memorial. He talked about it for weeks. It was one of the many highlights of his life.

Mr. Winborne moved to Natchez and worked for Armstrong Tire and Rubber Company until his retirement. He and his wife moved to Springfield 15 years ago to be closer to their daughter and son-in-law.

His work ethic and frugality set an example for his family, but how he spent his down time had the most impact. He was a teacher to his children and grandchildren. He taught them how to garden and to hunt. He taught them how to build things with his love of carpentry. He taught them the importance of faith, family and humility. He taught them baseball, or at least to love the Atlanta Braves. Actually, he taught everyone that if life was like baseball and if you lived right you could it make through all nine innings.

Mr. Winborne was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Darkis Smith Winborne; two brothers, Jessie Junior Winborne and Claude Vernon Winborne; and one sister, Hattie Rogene Davis.

Survivors include one daughter; Patricia Ann Anderson and husband, David, of Springfield; three sons, Tommy Winborne and wife, Virgie, and Randall Winborne and wife, Janette, all of Natchez, and Gary Winborne and wife, Kathy, of Ruth; 11 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; and 10 great-great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be Michael Anderson, Tony Anderson, Aaron Winborne, Will Johnson, Ricky Perry and Brian McGough.

Honorary pallbearer will be David Anderson.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Heart Association and Alzheimer’s Fund.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at lairdfh.com.