Winona Humphreys

Winona’s wonderful, beautiful life is over. She peacefully took her last breath on the morning of January 28th, at Volen’s hospice facility in Boca Raton, FL, supported Mark and Lily Humphreys, son and daughter-in-law. The three shared a nearby home for the last 10 years, faithfully assisted by Lily’s sister Vicky and their kind family. Winona was a beloved member of the Volen Senior Center while living in Boca.

Winona was endlessly kind and charming…devoted to all around her, yet completely selfless. Her smile and gracious manner were appreciated literally around the world.

Born on December 4, 1932, to Andrew and Elizabeth McConnell, of Limestone, TN, Winona attended Johnson City schools, and met her husband-to-be Frederick while playing in orchestra at Science Hill HS. Winona diligently supported Fred’s music studies while raising two children, Carol and Mark. Fred’s remarkable abilities as a band director gave the young family a path to future adventure, first in Etowah, then Washington County TN, then they were lured to Okeechobee Florida in 1957 to create an especially renowned band program.

While wife to an ambitious band leader (and mother) was a full-time occupation, Winona used her personal brilliance to clerk for Okeechobee’s Judge Conely. In 1963 Fred was recruited to Deerfield Beach, where again he created several exceptional music programs. Winona met attorney William Grimditch, supporting him through the creation of Southern Federal Savings and formation of Grimditch, Bentz, Witte and Wunker PA. After twenty years there, Winona left legal duties to earn an English Education degree at Florida Atlantic Univ.

Avid travelers, the Humphreys family initially enjoyed the US, crossing the country and Canada numerous times by car, then flying, first to the islands, then Europe, driving throughout western Europe and the British Isles, then ultimately driving the expanse of north-south Russia in a rental car, from Finland to Turkey…BEFORE glasnost. Fred’s wanderlust and Winona’s great organization honed their travel skills, and by 1974 the pair were leading Fred’s bands on spectacular international concert tours.

Winona’s critical support of Fred’s ambitions was understood and appreciated. Her overt kindness touched so many people, and they all loved her for it. That is Winona: with great humility, bringing people together and making life better for everyone she met.

Upon retirement from south Florida, Winona and Fred bought a home in Johnson City, then began a new adventure teaching in Federal schools overseas. They loved living in Sasebo Japan, exploring and learning the culture. They did additional tours in Yakota, and Karlsruhe and Schweinfurt Germany. Again, wherever they were, their interest in, and devotion to learning and sharing endeared them to all their new friends. After Fred’s untimely passing in 2006, Winona eventually migrated south to live with her son.

Our final wishes for Winona, and Fred, is that their friends remember them kindly, and if possible, please share any favorite tales, comments, photos as well as your own situation. We hope to do an online gathering for them soon. Winona’s remains will soon be placed in the family space at the beautiful Sunrise Cemetery near Bluff City, TN.