Ione "Mikey" Rita Winchester

Mrs. Ione Rita “Mikey” Winchester, age 91, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 14, 2025, in Houston, Texas, after a long illness.

Born on July 8, 1934, in New Orleans, Louisiana, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Ione Booker Weber. Mrs. Winchester was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and servant of Christ whose life was marked by faith and love.

For 21 years, she supported her husband, Ruger W. Winchester, as they raised their family while he served in the U.S. Air Force. Following his military retirement, Mrs. Winchester earned a Master’s degree in Religious Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. In 1982, she and her husband answered God’s call to North Dakota, where they made their home in New Salem and together founded Word of Life Baptist Church. There they ministered for 35 years, where Mrs. Winchester especially enjoyed teaching children’s Sunday School and leading Vacation Bible School each summer.

In 2017, the Winchesters moved to Houston, Texas, where they became members of Tallowood Baptist Church.

Mrs. Winchester was also a devoted sports fan, cheering on the Boston Red Sox and the Duke basketball team. She and her husband loved taking long road trips across the country during the summer, visiting national parks and spending time with family along the way.

She is survived by her beloved husband of 70 years, Ruger W. Winchester; her sons, Randy Winchester (Mimi Emig) and Mark Winchester (Sandy Winchester); her daughter, Mary Winchester; her sister, Eliska Thiels; and her cherished granddaughters, Anne-lise Emig and Camille Witherington-Perkins.

A private memorial service will be held at Parkway Place, with interment to follow at Arlington National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Lung Association in honor of Mrs. Winchester.

Arrangements are under the care of Garden Oaks Funeral Home and Crematory.