Winona Virginia Pharis

Winona (Nona) Virginia Pharis passed away on August 22, 2023, peacefully at home while accompanied by her beloved family. Winona, born July 17, 1921 in Welch, West Virginia, was the daughter of Frederic L. and Florida (Sammy) Harris.

At the age of 9, her family moved to Columbus, Ohio where she grew up. While in high school, she played the violin in the school orchestra and was a member of the National Honor Society. After graduating from West High School, Winona attended Business College for one year. She was then employed at the Ohio Farm Bureau and worked in the Investment Department for 7 ½ years. In Columbus, she met and married her husband Paul, and they spent 57 years together.

Paul and Nona moved to Montgomery, Alabama in 1948, where they started their family and lived for 23 years. She enjoyed being a stay-at-home wife and mother to her two sons, David and Donald, who were born and raised in Montgomery. Nona has lived in the Pensacola area since 1971. She was fiercely independent and drove her car for errands until her last year of life. Nona started using a smartphone a few years before her death and reconnected with family and friends whom she had not seen in years. She loved having her smartphone and always had it beside her, and she will continue to have it beside her while at rest. Nona loved texting with family several times a day every day. She said many times “I don't know how I got along without it!” She was highly organized, extremely generous, and kind. Having known her was a blessing in life. Nona was a faithful follower of Pastor Traylor’s televised Sermons from Olive Baptist Church in Pensacola, Florida.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Paul and her sister Doris. She is survived by her 2 sons David (Mary) of Ramer, Alabama, Donald (Wendy) of Pensacola, Fl, granddaughter Lindsay (Brian), great grandson James of Pensacola, Fl, her brother Frederick of Shelby Township, Michigan and her beloved nieces and nephews.

Nona was a loving and devoted mother, grandmother, and great grandmother who will be highly missed. Her memory will forever be cherished. Services will be held for Winona on Friday, September 1st at Bayview Memorial Park in the Chapel of Peace Mausoleum at 1:00 PM where she will be laid to rest alongside her beloved husband, Paul.

In Lieu of flowers donations can be made to the American Diabetes Association or one's favorite charity.