The family of Mrs. Joan Owen Winchester, in a grief paralleled by our love for her and hers for others, announces her new life with our Lord. Enduring an extensive and arduous period of suffering, she came to rest peacefully surrounded by her husband and children in her family home. She will forever remain in our hearts as Child of God, daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandma, great-grandma, and friend.
Joan was born on November 4, 1943, in Liberty, SC to Mr. Clyde Owen and Mrs. Ozell Owen. Joan shared love and much laughter as the middle child between two brothers, Boyce and Ted. Joan was a majorette for Liberty High School during which time she met the love of her life, Charles “Charlie” League Winchester. With the same tenacity that carried her throughout her life, Joan announced to her friends at a high school football game that Charlie was “the man she was going to marry.” The two wed in 1960 and remained together in devotion throughout her life, setting an example of unconditional love for the family they built, including their three daughters, a son, six grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.
Joan was an active member of Shady Grove Baptist Church for many years, where she served in the music ministry. Her musical talents blessed the ears and minds of her children and grandchildren at home as well. Joan worked in an administrative capacity with the family lumber business. Joan also attended Waldrop Beauty School and received her cosmetology license. Joan spent her life in service to her family, sharing the love of Jesus, filling her home with warmth and kindness, and ceaselessly giving of her time and resources for those she loved. She enjoyed animals, especially her Westie companion, Casper, crafts, dining out, shopping, and spending time with her friends and family. She was beautiful inside and out.
She is survived by her loving husband of 61 years: Charles Winchester; daughters: Diane Dumit, Kay Foster (Jackie), and Tracy Lance (Robert); son: John Winchester (Stacey); grandchildren: Savannah Porter (Jonathan), Charlie Raye Johnson (Jeremy), Calton Kent (Ali), Brooke Reeves, Emaleigh Lance, and Avery Lance; great-grandchildren: Cohen Porter, Townes Porter, Brody Kent, Andie Kate Kent, and Amelia Johnson; brother: Boyce Owen (Shirley); and many brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, and dear friends. She will be greatly missed.
Joan was predeceased by her father: Clyde Owen; mother: Ozell Duncan Owen; and brother: Ted Owen.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM on Monday, July 4, 2022 in the Chapel at Dillard Funeral Home. Interment will occur at Hillcrest Memorial Park following the chapel service.
Flowers will be accepted, or memorial donations may be made in honor of Joan O. Winchester to Shady Grove Baptist Church at 2901 Shady Grove Road, Sunset, SC 29685, or the American Diabetes Association at P.O. Box 7023, Merrifield, VA 22116-7023 or online at www.diabetes.org.
The family wishes to send a special thank you to her loving and compassionate caregivers: Heather Barkley, Janice Cobb, Lisa Cobb, Jerri Lynn Porter, Tokeyia Rickmon, and Karla Watson. We are also grateful to Jill Garrett, Katina Jamison, and Ethan Sowell, of Interim Hospice Care.
“Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: ‘Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.’” -Proverbs 31: 28-29
