Paul Everett Winston, 92, of Chattanooga, Tennessee, died peacefully at his home on Tuesday, February 14, 2012.
He was born August 28, 1919, and spent most of his life in the Chattanooga area. In addition to attending school, he began working during the depression, carrying newspapers on a bicycle, then working at Alton Park Hardware, in order to help support his family of seven brothers and one sister. He attended Lookout Jr. High School and graduated from Central High School in 1939.
He began work at Chattanooga Glass Company the day following his graduation and continued employment with the same company until his retirement in 1982. He started at Chattanooga Glass sweeping floors and worked up to trouble shooting for the company in the various locations around the United States.
He was always looking for ways to better serve the company while providing for his family. He continued his education, taking many night classes which enabled him to excel in his field. He became an expert in the building and installation of machinery and equipment needed for the production of the Coca Cola bottle.
His love of travel and eagerness to learn enabled him to eventually become an advisor in glass plants in California, Texas, Mississippi, West Virginia, Ohio, and Taiwan, Formosa. He was proud of the role he played in building the factories in Corsicana, Texas and the first glass manufacturing plant in Taiwan.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Percy and Nettie Barker Winston, two wives, Mary Elizabeth Cope and Lillian Marie Green, brothers, Lee, George, Albert, Marvin and Clyde.
He is survived by his daughter, Phyllis, and her husband, John McCoy, two grandchildren, Joanie (Chris) Davis and Philip (Dianna) McCoy, and five great-grandchildren, Blake and Sarah Davis, Cullen McCoy, and Zach and Amber Schulz. Surviving siblings include his two brothers, Ralph (Betty) Winston of East Ridge, Carl James (Bo) of Ft. Walton, Fla., one sister, Wanda Benson Manion of East Ridge, and a host of nieces and nephews. He is also survived by one stepdaughter Jonnie Ruth Watts of Dalton, Ga., and two step-grandchildren. He will also be deeply missed by his caregiver, Mrs. Jan Hodnett who devoted many hour seeing to his medications, providing medical care and above all, providing endless hours of support and comfort to the family as we said Goodbye.
He was a lifetime member of East Lake Masonic Lodge and New Liberty Baptist Church, where he actively served for many years until his constant care for Lillian through her failing health prevented him from continued service to the church. At New Liberty he served as senior usher and president of the seniors group. He was much more comfortable being a caregiver to others than receiving help for himself. This trait followed him throughout his life.
The family respectfully requests that because of severe respiratory conditions, no flowers. In lieu of flowers, it was Paul’s request that memorial contributions be made to the Salvation Army, who provided Christmas for the Winston children many times during the depression.
The family wishes to thank Mrs. Carol Fincher, her staff, and the residents of the East Ridge Retirement Center for the excellent home and friendship they have provided over the last nine years. They have been another family to him. Also, we are grateful to Hospice of Chattanooga and Standifer Place Assisted Living for their help and support over the last few weeks as they ministered to the entire family.
Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 16, at Heritage Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend Danny Henson and Reverend Wayne Hammrick officiating. Interment will follow in Lakewood Memory Gardens South.
Visit www.heritagefh.com to share words of comfort to the family.
The family will receive friends from 4-7 p.m. on Wednesday, February 15, at Heritage Funeral Home, 7454 E. Brainerd Road, Chattanooga, Tn. 37421.