Shirley Winstead

Public visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 29, 2020 from 5:00-8:00 p.m. in the chapel of McClain-Hays Funeral Home. A private funeral service will be held for immediate family. Mrs. Gladys Shirley Winstead, 93, passed away peacefully at her home on September 26, 2020. She was surrounded by members of her family and Mrs. Dorothy Turner who had been her indispensable caregiver for the last three years. Mrs. Winstead, the daughter of the late John and Georgia Sanders Martin, was born on January 13, 1927, in rural Leake County, Mississippi and grew up on the family farm. Her ancestors had homesteaded and farmed in the area since the early 19th century. Proud of her rural roots, Shirley claimed this early experience was instrumental in forming her indominable spirit and a conviction that few problems could not be resolved with good sense and hard work. It also imbued a life-long love of plants, flowers and animals. Following her graduation from Laurel Hill High School, she married the love of her life, Hardy Winstead, on his return from service in World War II. They established their home in Laurel Hill, Mississippi where she remained until her death. In addition to raising four children, she was a legendary homemaker who was known for her baked goods. She was a proud gardener and provided her family with most of the vegetables on their table. Her own children and grandchildren today have roses and bulbs that she carefully cultivated over the years. Gregarious, quick witted, straight talking and opinionated, she, who never met a stranger, would engage anyone in conversation. Her sense of humor had been sharpened over many years of observing human nature. She was not above being wry about herself. Once at the age of 80 she made the comment, “I am going to the nursing home on Tuesday morning with my brother, Hays, to sing for the old folks.” She was preceded in death by her husband, Samuel Hardy Winstead, and her brothers, Guy, Hays, and Kelly Martin. Her beautiful life will forever be cherished in the lives of her children: Dwight Winstead, Elaine Moore, Dudley Winstead, and Daniel Winstead. She was always actively engaged with her grandchildren providing solid foundational advice to Tim Moore, Bryan Moore, Heather Bunch, Scott Winstead, Megan Alexander, Tyler Winstead, Clay Winstead, Brittany Winstead and Taylor Winstead. She had ten great-grandchildren. Her Christian life was as beautiful as the flowers she loved so much, and her influence will remain forever in the lives of all who knew her. She was a devout member of New County Line Baptist Church.