Carolyn Hamilton Winston

Carolyn H. Winston was born on March 29th 1923 on a farm in Hertford County, North Carolina. Her parents: Charles E. and Louise H. Robbins were teachers in a two-room school house. She was the older of two children. Her brother Charles passed away several years ago.

At the age of three, Carolyn and her family moved from North Carolina to New York City. When she turned four, her mother enrolled her in Kindergarten. She attended public school in New York and spent summers in North Carolina until 1936 when she and her family moved back to North Carolina. She attended high school for two years, graduating in 1938 at the age of 15.

In 1939, at the age of 16, she attended Bennett College in Greensboro, North Carolina. She studied there during her freshman and sophomore years. After her sophomore year, she transferred to Virginia State College in Petersburg, Virginia where she completed her education.

During her junior year at Virginia State College, she met Curtis Winston at a USO dance. They courted and later married on May 1, 1943. They had three sons: Curtis Jr., Charles L(deceased) and Clayton R. The Winston family traveled extensively. Curtis’s military assignments took the family to Virginia, Germany, France, Massachusetts, Philadelphia, and Okinawa. No matter where her home, Carolyn adapted to her surroundings and made life enjoyable and interesting.

Carolyn was a constant student, having attended various classes while traveling abroad with her family. While living in Germany, she attended the University of Heidelberg. For a semester, she studied German conversation and French children’s literature. While living in Okinawa, she took a class in Japanese doll making and another class in Asian silk screen embroidery. In addition, she created a career in accounting. While living in Okinawa, she worked full time as a cashier in the accounting and finance department at Kadena Air Base. Upon returning to the United States, she worked as an IRS agent.

She enjoyed sewing, crossword puzzles, golf, reading, playing the piano, penny poker with her friends, cooking and spending time with her family.

She leaves behind: husband Curtis of 71 years; son Curtis Jr. and wife Donna; son Clayton and wife Fay; four granddaughters: Nicole, Winter, Dana and Renee; eight great grandchildren: Sincere, Precious, Akel, Raegan, Mikhail, Dominic, Aden and Braden; and three nephews and two nieces. She also leaves behind many friends.

A Celebration of Carolyn’s life will be held Thursday, February 19 at 12 pm at Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home. Interment will follow at 2 pm at Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery in Suffolk, VA.

Friends are encouraged to visit www.parklawn-woodfh.com to share memories and words of condolence with the family.

Arrangements are under the care of Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home, 2551 N. Armistead Avenue, Hampton, VA.