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BORN
1920
DIED
2020
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Margaret Winchester Obituary
Margaret Battle Winchester life's journey began on July 24, 1920 in Philadelphia, PA, to the late Edward Mansfield Battle and Mary Noble Battle. Margaret was the seventh child born from this union. Saturday morning, October 2, 2020, eyes still closed, she peacefully transitioned as her Lord and Savior beckoned her home. The family moved to Bridgeton, NJ, where she attended public school, graduating in 1939. Margaret also received a Four Year Degree from The Evening Bible Institute of Bridgeton, NJ.
She worked at the Philadelphia Quartermaster Depot as a Secretary prior to losing her sight.
Mrs. Winchester joined Union Baptist Temple of Bridgeton, NJ in 1932 under Pastor L.A. Freeman. Margaret served as: Deaconess Emeritus, President of Senior Missionaries, Workers Council; Member of Sr. Ushers, Sr. Mass Choir, Leader of Nursing Home Ministry, Hospital Ministry; Adult Sunday School Teacher, Adult Bible Class Teacher, Teenagers Bible Teacher and Key Woman for Church Women United.
On July 30, 1939 at Union Baptist Temple, Margaret married Albert Winchester. They were blessed with six children.
Wills Eye Hospital of Philadelphia, PA. confirmed at age 29 the diagnosis of Retinitis Pigmemtose. This is an incurable blindness. Margaret's determination and faith in God allowed her to continue to function as an exceptional housewife and mother. She decided to use her God given time and talents to share with others who were blind or visually impaired by going to their individual homes.
Community involvement includes: Five Year Co-Leader for 4-H Club, Steering Committee for Headstart, A cook for first session of Headstart at Cherry Street School, Steering Committee for Child Day Care and Volunteer Coordinator for Waitresses for S.C.A.M.P. Nutrition Sight.
Receiving a vision from God Almighty to have a permanent location for the blind, she called her friend the late Director of the Board of Chosen Freeholders, Mr. Charles (Chuck) Fisher.
Before accepting he inquired, how will we do this? Mrs. Winchester replied, "the Lord and you." Mr. Fisher then agreed saying, "you put me in good company." In 1978 the vision came to life when The Enrichment Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired was incorporated as a
Non-Profit Organization. Initially housed within an unused wing of the Cumberland County Hospital.
March 9, 1982, the organization moved into two trailers on the same property. Finally, a grand opening and dedication on October 27, 1990, a brand new building was named "The Margaret Winchester Enrichment Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Inc. as requested by Freeholder Director Charles (Chuck) Fisher, 168 Sunny Slope Drive of Bridgeton, NJ.
BOARDS SHE FORMERLY SERVED ON
Trustee of the New Jersey Commission for The Blind and Visually Impaired, New Jersey Network of Blind Organizations, Southern Regional Consumer Advisory Council for the New Jersey Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Inc., Cumberland County Disabled Transportation Advisory Council, Executive Board of C.H.A.I.R., Inc., Cumberland County Disabled Advisory Council to the Freeholders, Volunteer Worker for The National Society to Prevent Blindness, Cumberland County A.D.A. - 504 Compliance Committee, New Jersey Board of Human Service Family Development, Cumberland County Human Relations Commission
FORMER MEMBER OF
Bethany Baptist Association of Southern New Jersey (buzz leader, resource speaker, chorus), Ebenezer Baptist Missionary Union of Southern New Jersey (buzz leader, chorus, resource speaker, chair-person for field worker, church delegate), Maude S. Walker Cape May and Cumberland County Missionary (advisor)
HONORS/AWARDS
1983-1986.. Outstanding Accomplishments/Contributions to the Blind and Visually Impaired Community from NJ Governor Thomas H. Kean, 1986..Woman of the Year from N.A.A.C.P. Vineland, NJ, 1986..Appointed Trustee Board Member of NJ Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired, 1987..Outstanding Citizen from Dehugo Consistory No. 2A.A.S.R., 1989..John A. Cowen Memorial from Conference of Christians and Jews, 1990..Cumberland County Black Hall of Fame Enshrinement, 1991..Harriet Tubman from Martin Luther King Academy, Vineland, NJ, 1993..Teacher/Leader from Union Baptist Temple, 1993..Five Years of Service to South Jersey from Eastern Star Ionic #15 O.E.S. (PHA) Bridgeton, NJ, 1994..Senior Star Governor's Volunteer from NJ Governor Christy Witman, 1995..May 2-5 Delegate to the White House Conference on Aging, 1995..Prince Hall Community Outreach from Free and Accepted Masons of NJ, 1996..Cumberland County R.S.V.P. Community Service from Office of Aging and Disabled and the Board of Chosen Freeholders, 1997..Dream Achievement from Bridgeton's Womens Ministry of Seventh Day Adventist, 1997..Certificate of Appreciation from the Mayor and City Council of Bridgeton, NJ, 1997..In Recognition of Your Outstanding Contributions Toward the Success of the 1995 White House Conference on Aging, 1998..Mother of all Nations from Cumberland County Human Relations Youth Committee and Zelphy's Christian Learning Center, 2000..Member Sixty-Eight Years at Union Baptist Temple, Bridgeton, NJ, 2000..Lifetime Achievement from NJ Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired Ninth Anniversary, 2000..Twenty Years of Dedication from the Disabled Advisory Council, 2000..Board of Trustee from NJ Department of Human Services Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired, 2001..NJ's National Prime Time Outstanding Older Worker from Green Thumb, Inc., 2001..Special Congressional Recognition as Green Thumb NJ's Outstanding Older Worker from Congressman Frank Lobiondo, 2003..Many Years of Service to the Visually Impaired from Cumberland County Human Relations Commission, 2003..Special
Service from the Board of Directors of the Margaret Winchester Enrichment Center in Recognition of Twenty-Five Years of Leadership, Dedicated Service and Outstanding Accomplishments made on behalf of the Blind and Visually Impaired, 2003..Community Hero from United Way of Greater Cumberland County, 2003..Twenty-Five years of Service at the Margaret Winchester Enrichment Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Inc. from the County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Office on Aging, 2005-2006..Who's Who in Executives and Professionals National Register, 2006..Twenty-Five Years of Service as a Member of the Board of Cumberland County Disabled Advisory Council, 2008..Golden Deeds from the Exchanged Club of Bridgeton, NJ, 2008..Keeper of the Flame of Hope, 2009..Community Champion from R.S.V.P. Cumberland County Board of Chosen Freeholders and Office on Aging, 2009.. Retirement Luncheon, 2010..Lifetime Achievement from the NJ Department of Human Services Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired, 2014..Beacon Award from the NJ Department of Human Services Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired, 2010..N.A.A.C.P. Community Award from Greater Vineland Branch #2115, 2013..Outstanding Lifetime Achievement Award from the NJ Department of Human Services Commision for the Blind and Visually Impaired, 2014..Beacon Award from the NJ Department of Human Services Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired, 2015..Lifetime Achievement from Eyes Like Mine, Inc., 2015..God's Golden Lady, 2015..Trailblazer Award from Beyond the Eyes, Inc., 2015..Fifty Years Outstanding Service from the National Black Disability Coalition, 2016..Cumberland County Women's Hall of Fame Inductee, 2018..Special Recognition at the 30th Annual Cumberland County Black Hall of Fame Enshrinement Dinner, 2018..Ninety plus Senior Saints Award from Bethany Baptist Association Women's Auxiliary, 2019..County of Cumberland Certificate of Commendation in Honor and Recognition of over 40 years of Unwavering Service and Dedication to the Blind and Visually Impaired in our community and 99 years of life.
Cherishing her memory are three sons: Albert Douglas (Jean) Landover, MD; Gearld Wayne, Atlantic City, NJ; Franklin George (Janet), Apex, NC; Two Daughters: Margaret Winchester Graw and Donna Jean Winchester Thompson, Bridgeton, NJ; 15 Grandchildren; 25
Great-Grandchildren, 16 Great Great Grandchildren and 7 Great Great Great Grandchildren. Predeceased by Baby Richard, Husband Albert of 56 Years of Marriage and all Ten Siblings.
GIVING GOD ALL THE PRAISE, HONOR AND GLORY!
2 TIMOTHY 4:7-8 I HAVE FOUGHT A GOOD FIGHT, I HAVE FINISHED MY COURSE: HENCEFORTH THERE IS LAID UP FOR ME A CROWN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, WHICH THE LORD, THE RIGHTEOUS JUDGE, SHALL GIVE ME AT THAT DAY: AND NOT TO ME ONLY, BUT UNTO ALL THEM ALSO THAT LOVE HIS APPEARING.
Funeral Services will be held on Sunday, October 11, 2020 at 2:00pm from the ALMS Center - 1 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Bridgeton, NJ. A visitation will be from 12:00 to 2:00pm at the center. Burial will be in Cedar Hill Memorial Park of Hopewell Twp. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to those who wish be sent to Margaret Winchester Scholarship Fund at 168
Sunny Slope Drive of Bridgeton, NJ. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Sray-Webster Funeral Home of Upper Deerfield Twp.
For those who are unable to attend, the funeral service will be live on Zoom. See the link below to join, and please mute your microphones while joining. The password to join the Zoom live is 289762.
Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89481573485?pwd=MndLVUFzQzM0QXhQckRHMVlCRk85QT09 Password to join: 289762
JOYFULLY SUBMITTED BY THE FAMILY
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Memories and Condolences
for Margaret Winchester
Sponsored by Sray-Webster Funeral Home Llc.
Laurie Warren
October 16, 2020
Margaret was an amazing woman. She never let her disability slow her down. I was always impressed with her ability to reach out to others. She was truly a champion for sight impaired people.
Roseanna Whitaker
October 12, 2020
I looked up to Mrs. Winchester because she was always so encouraging to me,,while We would be on our way to Newark was always a special time for me I was able to get to know her better and her I we share the gospel most of the way there and then getting to come to the enrichment center rinsing I'm so grateful she loved the lord and allowed me to bring the gospel in song into her facility I'm blessed to have a part of her life and mine her's she was a wonderful lady and will truly missed
Helen Zigler
October 11, 2020
She was like a mother figure to me from day one when I met her. She has been an amazing example of what God can do. Sleep on mother we loved you but god loved you best. I will cherish the years I have known you.
Pamela Wynder
October 10, 2020
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
It was a pleasure and a honor for me to have meant, worked with, talked, & to sing with her when she would play the piano. She even tried to teach me to play. God Bless her, and I know she is resting in peace and playing the piano and singing with the Angels. I will always cherish all the memories we created. I am glad I got the opportunity to meet her and work at the Margaret Winchester Enrichment Center.
Nakita P
October 10, 2020
An outstanding accomplished and remarkable woman of God. I'm blessed to have had the opportunity to spend time with you and your family through your loving granddaughter. Sending condolences and prayers to the family.
ROBERT BUTCHER, FL.
October 10, 2020
WE NEED MANY MANY PEOPLE LIKE HER. A REAL PERSON, GOD LOVING MOST EVERYTHING. NEVER HAD THE PLEASURE OF MEETING HER, BUT KNOW WHO SHE WAS AND THE WORK SHE DID. THE GOOD LORD HAS A GREAT NEW ANGLE NOW. GOD BLESS HER WITH REST AND PEACE. PRAYERS FOR HER FAMILY.
Bambi Wolbert
October 10, 2020
You truly are an amazing woman. Inspirational to all. The Lord blessed us all for having known you. Your work here is done but not forgotten. RIP
Jackie Love
October 10, 2020
We love u. Will never forget u n your Sister Mrs Henrietta Cosby. Thank u for crossing my Path. I m far better for your presence. God is Good! God Bless u all
Mary Hadley
October 10, 2020
Our condolences to the family and friends. Mrs Winchester was a blessing to so many of us who shared thus path of life. Her dedication, humbleness, and love of others will be an example for years to come. She has earned her reward in heaven, "Well done my faithful servant" .
Marie Herring
October 9, 2020
Mrs. Winchester was a remarkable woman. My sister, Joanne Tolotti, was attended her school for many years. Joanne was blind and disabled but looked so forward to being with Mrs. Winchester every day. she would talk about her every day. Thank you Mrs. Winchester for all you did for the blind. May you rest in peace. My sincere condolences to your family. Sincerely, Marie Herring.
Wilma Lopez
October 9, 2020
My sincere condolences to Mrs Battle Winchester’s family. I did not know her, but I just read her obituary and I am amazed of her accomplishments in life. I am sure she has been welcomed Home by our God. Heaven has gained an Angel. May God provide peace and comfort to her family and friends.
Jill L Ransom
October 8, 2020
I met Mrs. Winchester when I sang with my church ministry when the Blind Center met in the trailers by the County Home. I have vast, fond memories of Margaret as a favorite client of mine as her driver on the CATS bus for many years. Each morning she and Esther Gordon and I led the bus in a hymn sing all the way to the Enrichment Center. She taught me many old Spirituals. Margaret welcomed my Mother to the Center as a guest after she lost her sight to glaucoma and macular degeneration. I loved hearing Margaret’s stories and especially her knowledge of the Word of the Lord she loved. She will remain a significant presence in my life. What an honor it has been to have known her and her family. My condolences to all. Respectfully, Jill L. Ransom
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