Rev. Dr. Clinton Stephen "Steve" Winter III

1950 - 2025

Reverend Doctor Clinton Stephen (Steve) Winter, III
July 11, 1950 -
August 13, 2025
Reverend Doctor Clinton Stephen (Steve) Winter, III died Wednesday, August 13th. Steve was born in Decatur GA on July 11, 1950 to Mr. Clinton S. Winter Jr and Mrs. Anne Burgess Winter. He grew up in the Belvedere area of Decatur graduating from Avondale High School (School of Champions) in 1968. He attended Oxford College of Emory University where he met his wife of 53 years, India "Bunny" Lumsden. Steve and Bunny married in June of 1972, and Steve went on to finish his undergraduate studies at Emory University and earned his Masters of Divinity from Candler School of Theology in 1976. He would later go on to receive his Doctorate of Ministry from McCormick Theological Seminary in 1995.
In 1976, Steve began his long career of ministry to the people of North Georgia through the North Ga Conference of the United Methodist Church serving first as Youth Minister at Columbia Drive Methodist, then Associate Pastor at Griffin First United Methodist Church. He was later appointed to the Menlo-Bethel Charge. Steve then served the Cave Spring-Vann's Valley Charge, Hollydale United Methodist Church, Cleveland First United Methodist Church and Eatonton First United Methodist Church. He finished his career as Executive Pastor to Gainesville First United Methodist Church. Steve deeply loved the congregations and communities in each of the churches he served and changed the lives of countless parishioners, colleagues and friends with his wise council, unwavering kindness and quick sense of humor.
Steve was a lover of the Arts-he enjoyed water color painting, block print making and collecting pottery. He also enjoyed traveling with Bunny and his family and friends, was an avid Georgia Tech and Atlanta Braves fan and an excellent golfer. He was also a member of a number of civic organizations in the various communities he served including the Menlo Lions Club, the Cleveland Kiwanis Club, the White Co. Sports Booster Club, the Gainesville Kiwanis Club. He also served on the Boards for FARE International and the Folk Pottery Museum of Northeast Georgia.
Steve's greatest joy was spending time with his family-his wife Bunny, his children Clint and Allyson Winter and Sarah (Winter) and Matt Summers and 5 grandchildren. He was always their biggest fan and champion.
Steve is preceded in death by his parents, Clinton S. Winter Jr. and Anne B. Winter and mother and father-in-law Dr. Tom and India Lumsden.
He is survived by his wife Bunny, son and daughter-in-law Clinton S. Winter IV and Allyson Winter, daughter and son-in-law Sarah and Matt Summers. Grandchildren Ruby and Ty Winter and Wes, Liz and Hatcher Summers, brother David Winter and Anne McGinnis, Sister and brother-in-law Nancy and John FitzGerald, Sister and Brother-in-law Mary and Chris Geidel, Brother and Sister-in-law John and Kay Lumsden, nieces and nephews and countless friends.
The family received friends at Barrett's Funeral Home, Cleveland Ga on Sunday August 17th from 3-5pm. A Celebration of Life was held at Mossy Creek United Methodist Church, Cleveland Ga on Monday August 18th at 2pm.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to White County BackPack Buddies (PO Box 1974 Cleveland, GA 30528), Mossy Creek United Methodist Church (2154 Post Rd. Cleveland, GA 30528), and Hospice of Northeast Georgia Medical Center (2150 Limestone Parkway Suite 222 Gainesville, Ga 30501)
To share a memory or to leave an online condolence for the family, please visit www.barrettfh.com