Shirley Johnson Winters

Shirley Johnson Winters passed away Tuesday, November 9, 2021, at the age of 87. She was born September 18, 1934, in Jones County, Georgia, to the late Lewis and Katie Evans Johnson. She was the youngest of four children.

She was a 1952 graduate of Mary Persons High School, where she was a standout at basketball. Shortly after graduation, she became employed at The Farmer’s Bank as a teller and eventually served as a bank administrator there until her retirement 47 years later. 

On April 7, 1962, she married Wayne Winters and they had two sons. Wayne preceded her in death on June 15, 2001. 

She was a member of Rocky Creek Baptist Church for over fifty years and served a term as Church Treasurer. She loved to garden and could be found working in her yard most days and was especially proud of her lantana, hydrangeas, and amaryllis. She loved to read and was well-known at the Monroe County Library. In addition, she was avid fan of the Atlanta Braves. She was well-loved by friends, family, neighbors, and fellow church members. She was preceded in death by her siblings including her brother Clayborn Johnson, and sisters Jeanette Pritchett and Lucille Frazier.

She never missed a sporting event or piano recital of her sons and was their biggest fan. She loved her grandchildren, and they enjoyed spending the night, playing in the front yard, and eating her grilled cheese sandwiches and spaghetti.

Her life will be forever cherished in the hearts of her children Butch (Rhonda) Winters of Athens, Georgia, and Russ (Eric) Winters of Covington, Kentucky; grandchildren Lauren (Justin) Willis of Athens, Georgia, Trippe (Carol Anne) Winters of Atlanta, Georgia, Peyton Winters of Savannah, Georgia, and Pablo Winters of Forsyth, Georgia.  She is also survived by great grandchildren Paxton, Collins, and Mason Willis of Athens, Georgia, brother-in-law and sister-in-law Larry and Janice Winters of Forsyth, Georgia, sister-in-law Marian Winters of Forsyth, Georgia, as well as several nieces and nephews.

Services will be held Friday, November 12, 2021, at 2:00 PM at Rocky Creek Baptist Church in Forsyth. Family will greet friends at Rocky Creek beginning one hour prior to the service.  The Reverends Franklin Etheridge and Scott Harrell will officiate. Masks and social distancing are encouraged.

Flowers will be accepted, or the family suggests donations in lieu of flowers to Rocky Creek Baptist Church, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or to charity of the donor’s choice.

Monroe County Memorial Chapel has charge of arrangements.