Obituary of Catherine Winnings

Catherine D. Winnings, 87, died peacefully on Friday, March 18, 2011 in Morgantown with family at her side. She was a loving mother, grandmother, wife, sister, aunt, daughter, cousin, friend, and a child of God. She was a descendent of Bruce and Adaline Duggan Phillips, pioneer settlers of the West Point community in Alabamaâs Calhoun County. Born the second of twins in Jacksonville, Alabama on July 8, 1923, she was the sixth child of Dorothy Lucille Sutley and Willis Ben Phillips. She was the last surviving member of her birth family, having been predeceased by her parents, and brothers William Ory, Hubert, and Charles, and sisters Inez Phillips Medders, and Pauline, her twin. Catherine, known as âReneâ by her Alabama family and friends, graduated from Jacksonville High School in June 1942. She worked in Anniston, Alabama after graduation. Through a chance interaction by phone while working as a telephone operator, she met and fell in love with Nicholas County, WV native Nay Winnings, Jr., a United States Army Sergeant stationed at nearby Fort McClellan. They married on July 17, 1943 and moved to West Virginia following his discharge, finally settling in Belle, WV where they made their home for 40 years. They proudly parented four children, and raised two of their grandchildren for a period of eight years. Catherine loved her Lord and was a church member who was active in church work throughout her life. She served as a Sunday School teacher, Girlsâ Auxiliary leader, Womenâs Circle member, and Bible School Teacher, among other positions. She was a member of the Belle, WV Womenâs Club for a number of years before moving to Morgantown in 2002. She enjoyed life, especially spending time with her family and friends, visits to Alabama, travel to other destinations, cooking, knitting, music and especially in recent years, singing. She and her husband became keenly interested in personal health and wellness at midlife, incorporating regular exercise and a healthy diet into their routine. She was preceded in death by her husband, Nay daughter, June Naylene and son, Kenneth. She is survived by two daughters and their husbands: Kathy and Vernon White of Ripley, WV, and Julia and Rick Phalunas, of Morgantown six grandchildren - Kenneth Winnings, Jr., of Rockledge, FL Keith Winnings, of Belle, WV Ashli White Childers, of Lexington, KY Amber White Tackett, of Evans, WV Mark White, of Ravenswood, WV and Caitlin Phalunas, of Morgantown, WV and nine great grandchildren - Shane Winnings, Savannah Winnings, Samantha Winnings, Hunter Winnings, Brandon Childers, Brooke Childers, Lilly White, Alexis Good, and Addison Rutan. Nieces and nephews surviving her in Alabama include: Joyce Denkins, Gaynell Casey, Janice McLendon and Kyle Medders in Jacksonville Mike Phillips, Wellington Linda Brown, Alexandria and Rita Smith, Ozark. Family and friends will be received at Christian & Missionary Alliance Church, 308 Elmhurst Street, Morgantown on Friday, March 25 from 1:30 to 3:00p.m. A funeral service will be held at 3:00 pm in the church with Rev. Kirk Haas and Rev. David Goodin officiating. Graveside services is scheduled at 2 pm on Monday, March 28, 2011 at Tyler Mountain Memory Gardens, 5233 Rocky Fork Road, Cross Lanes, WV. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Hospice Care â" Monongalia County, 363 University Avenue, Morgantown, WV 26505 or to a Christian charity of choice.