David Whitfield Winfrey

A Celebration of Life Service for David Whitfield Winfrey, 65, of Diboll will be held Saturday, October 3, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary of First Baptist Church Diboll with Brother Kenny Hibbs and Brother Buster Grigg officiating. Interment will follow at a later date in North Carolina.

Mr. Winfrey was born April 25, 1950 in Haywood County, North Carolina, the son of the late James W. and Mary Edwina Winfrey. David went to be with his Lord and Savior Wednesday, September 23, 2015, after a battle with cancer.

David was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Prior to the cancer he was a very active member of First Baptist Church Diboll where he served on several committees, including Budget and Finance. Winfrey was medically retired from the United States Army due to disabling wounds received March 15, 1970 in Vietnam. Besides his family and church his greatest pleasure was working with young people. He worked with youth sports, scouting, and church youth groups in both North Carolina and Texas for over 40 years. He agreed to help out for one semester at Diboll Junior High when one of the teachers left in the middle of the year. He retired from Diboll ISD thirteen and a half years later.

Survivors include his wife, Phyllis Elaine; daughter, Amanda Owens of Canton, North Carolina; son and wife, William “Whitt” and Roxanne Winfrey of Clyde, North Carolina; son, Steve Williams, currently in Saudi Arabia; son and wife, Mark and Trudie Williams of Grapevine, Texas; grandchildren, Cody Winfrey, Cinnamon Dobransky, Kaitlyn and husband Travis Clark, Austin Williams, Gunnar Williams, Bethany Williams, and Blake Williams; great-grandchildren, Tucker and Sophia Clark; brother and wife, James E. and Susan G. Winfrey of Raleigh, North Carolina; sister and husband, Dr. Lynda and Dr. Richard Hautla of Florida; sister and husband, Kathey and Tim Hollifield of Little Switzerland, North Carolina; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his son-in-law, Jeffery Paul Owens; and nephew, Matthew “Dabber” Kirby.

Family will receive friends after the Celebration Service in the church fellowship hall.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Gideon’s International, Lufkin West Camp, P.O. Box 1831, Lufkin, Texas 75902, or Patriot Guard Riders, Inc., c/o Tatum & Associates, Inc., 6641 E. 85th Street North, Owasso, Oklahoma 74055.

Memories and condolences may be added at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.