Eargia Winters

1922 - 2016

Eargia Winters

Koscuisko

Eargia Winters, educator, head start director and licensed funeral director, was the third child of the late, Rev. Henry R. Winters, Sr. and Lula Potts Winters. She was a Christmas present to her parents being born on December 24, 1922 in Attala County, MS. After a short illness, Eargia peacefully went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, September 4, 2016.

She accepted Christ at an early age and united with Fancher Hill M. B. Church, where she was an active member and taught Sunday school.She later joined Christain Liberty M. B. Church. As an active member, she served her church in many capacities. During her earlier years she was an usher, youth director, treasurer of the Sunday school and state youth director of the Whitefield Association of the Mississippi Baptist State Convention. Later she taught a youth Sunday school class and was active in the Ruth Circle and the Women's Missionary Society until her health deteriorated.

After attending elementary school at Fancher Hill Public Scool in McCool, MS, she received her high school diploma with honors (salutatorian) from Attala County training school (Tipton Street High) Kosciusko, MS. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in math and social studies from Jackson College (Jackson State University) in 1950. Her education continued with additional studies at Tuskegee Institute, Tuskegee AL: Peabody College in Tennessee, and the University of Mississippi.In addition , she received a Honorary Doctorate Degree from Saints Junior College in Lexington, MS.

Although, Ms Eargia, as she was affectionately known by many who knew her, had no biological children. After the death of our mother, she became the surrogate mother of her three youngest siblings, Henry, Kenneth and Nell. She was also a mother and grandmother figure and a role model to her students at Tipton High school, the youth at Christian Liberty, nieces, nephews ans many others.

Her professional career included teaching in the Attala County Public School System, Tipton High School, Kosciusko, MS, Head Start Director for 6 counties with The Central Mississippi Head Start, Inc., licensed funeral director and receptionist for Winters Funeral Home.

She was active in many professional and civic organizations where she received many accolades and awards; however, she was the happiest when she was helping others.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, J. D. Winters; four sisters, Elnora Henson, Martha Wallace, Annie Lee Hubbert and Alberta Jennings. Her remaining siblings who will cherish her memories are L. B. Winters of Cleveland, Ohio; Malinda Winters and Kenneth (Brenda) Winters of Kosciusko, Mississippi, Henry Winters of Maple Heights, Ohio and Nellie W. Tolliver of Jackson, Mississippi; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Services were held on Wednesday, September 7, 2016 at 1:00pm.