Iris C. “Red” Winton, 84, of Somerville passed away Tuesday, May 17, 2016 at Huntsville Hospital after a short-term illness. Visitation will be Saturday, May 21 from Noon-3 p.m. at Center Springs United Methodist Church followed immediately by the funeral at 3 p.m. with Pastor Carol Lambert and evangelist Michael Mason officiating. Burial will be in the adjoining cemetery.
A Morgan County native with Scots-Irish family roots reaching back almost 200 years, Mr. Winton was born in Winton on May 11, 1932. A farmer and former business owner and mechanic, he enjoyed 25 years of retirement after 40 years of service with Wolverine Tube, Inc. A lifelong attendee and devoted member of Center Springs UMC, he served in the choir as a member and director, on numerous committees, and as a Sunday school teacher at various times for more than 70 years. A singer and musician, he served as president of the local Alabama Country Music Association in the early 1970s.
A 1951 graduate of Cotaco High School, he competed at state competitions with the FFA quartet and served as student manager of the senior basketball team. He was a Braves baseball and University of Alabama sports fan, later broadening his interests to University of Alabama at Birmingham and Auburn University sports thanks to grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents Purley and Magnolia Lynn Winton, brothers J.D. Winton and Vester Winton, and sister Jura Mae Dobbs; and grandchildren Kasey Long and Wesley Freeman, all of Somerville.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years Norma Johnson Winton; son, David Winton of Nashville; three daughters, Cynthia Russell (Tommy) of Dora, and Phyllis Freeman (Robert) and Theresa Smith (Steve), both of Somerville; four grandchildren, Keith Long (Beth) of Tuscaloosa, Allison Freeman of Fultondale and Abigail and Claudia Smith, both of Somerville; two great-grandchildren, Sarah and Maggie Crow, both of Tuscaloosa; and a host of loving nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers will be Robert Freeman, Steve Smith, Tommy Russell, Gary Dobbs, Michael Dobbs, Jerry Dobbs, Steve Dobbs, and Glenn Winton. Honorary pallbearers will be the Center Springs UMC Men’s Sunday School Class, Vaughn Winton, Chris Winton, Lewis Mason, and Alex Branch.
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be made to the Center Springs UMC Building or General funds.
