On Sunday, June 3, 2007 in Hammonds, Louisiana, Mrs. Gertrude Winston departed her earthly home to journey to her permanent home—HEAVEN. Servant of God, well done. You have fought a good fight. You have kept the faith. Now, there is laid up for you a crown of righteousness…not only to you, but also unto all those that love His appearing.
Gertrude Pearl Jones Coleman Winston was the second and youngest sibling born to Marie Ellen Coleman and John Edward Hawkins Jones on July 25, 1922, Huntsville, Alabama. As an infant, Gertrude was christened at St. John African Methodist Episcopal Church. However, due to the death of both parents, she moved to Chicago, Illinois with an aunt. At the age of thirteen, she confessed hope in Christ and joined Grant Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Church in Chicago, Illinois where she was very active in her church. She taught Sunday School, played the piano, and sang in the youth choir.
She returned to Huntsville where she completed her education at William Hooper Councill High School and attended Alabama A&M College. She also reconnected with St. John African Methodist Episcopal Church and served faithfully as a pianist and choir member.
In 1947 she married James Coleman and then moved to Oakland, California where their daughter Donna Marie Coleman was born on April 15, 1948. After this marriage dissolved in 1949, she and her daughter moved back to Huntsville, Alabama, where she again reconnected with St. John African Methodist Episcopal Church and again served very faithfully. On January 1, 1957, she married Willie Winston and they remained faithful partners until his death on November 12, 1987.
Mrs. Winston worked at Huntsville Hospital as an Operating Technician. She loved helping people and took special pride in visiting and caring for her friends and her church family members admitted to the hospital. She was often able to calm nerves and ease fears with her warm smile and gentle touch. She proudly retired from Huntsville Hospital after thirty-four successful years of service.
Mrs. Winston loved and cherished her family. She was a loving and affectionate mother not only to her biological daughter, but to her nephew, Monroe Jones and her niece, Mary Outlaw, whom she raised as her very own children.
Mrs. Winston had a special love for her St. John African Methodist Episcopal Church family and Reverend and Mrs. Homer L. McCall. She was a very faithful member, serving wherever she could. She was a devoted Sunday school teacher, pianist and Deaconess. In addition, she faithfully served as a member of the Sanctuary Choir, Stewardess Board, 50+Auxiliary, and the Missionary Society.
In 2004 Mrs. Winston moved to St. Louis, Missouri to be near her daughter. She continued her Christian walk by joining St. Luke African Methodist Episcopal Church under the pastoral leadership of Reverend Claudine Murphy.
She leaves to cherish her precious memories a dear daughter, Donna Burton (Ronald), Charlotte, North Carolina; a loving nephew, Reverend Monroe Jones, Jr. (Darlene), Hammond, Louisiana, whom she raised, loved, and considered her son; two grandchildren, Monica Jones, Huntsville, Alabama and Monroe Jones, III, Hammond, Louisiana; and a beloved adopted daughter and her family, Sharon H. Butler, Huntsville, Alabama, cousins, nieces, and nephews
Funeral Services will be held Saturday, June 9, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. at the St. John A.M.E. Church with Pastor Homer L. McCall officiating. Interment will follow in the Valhalla Memory Garden