Ruby Cope Winningham

Ruby Cope Winningham, 80, of Summerville, died Thursday, December 9, 2010 at her home. She was born on January 25, 1930 in Spartanburg, a daughter of the late Lester Cope and Margaret Louisa "Maggie" Baker Cope. Ruby was the last surviving member of her family. She grew up in Union County during the Great Depression and World War II. Her father was a farmer during her youth. She immensely enjoyed her childhood in the country. Her life changed during World War II when her older brothers, John and Henry, left to fight for their country. She worked at Union Mill for a time. Ruby moved to Jedburg in 1954 after the death of her first husband, Chuck Vinson. She later married Henry Alonzo Winningham, Jr. She raised seven children. She was dedicated to her youngest daughter, who was born with Down’s Syndrome. She fought for aid for her daughter, at a time when such aid was not commonplace. Her later years were enjoyed with her faith, quilting, sewing, and reminiscing about her family members who had passed on. She was raised in the Baptist Church and became involved with the Jehovah’s Witness faith during her later years. Ruby’s last months were spent battling cancer. The family is immensely appreciative of the assistance provided by her niece, Janice Hutto, Dr. Alan Jackson, and the Southern Care Hospice staff. Ruby was always a larger than life person. She will be missed and remembered by her family and descendents for many years to come. Surviving are: three daughters and three sons: Sandra Gayle Vinson Lucas (Donald ) of Eugene, Oregon, Mary Elizabeth Winningham Marland (Casey) of Harvard, Illinois, Iris Christine Winningham of Summerville, Dennis Franklin Vinson (Teresa) of Boiling Springs, South Carolina, Timothy Eloy Winningham (Dawn) of Jedburg, South Carolina, and Randal Glenn Winningham of Duluth, Georgia, three grandsons: Bradley Masten, Aaron Marland and Chris Vinson, seven granddaughters: Amy Hamrick, Kelsey Marland, Jessica Winningham, Lauren Winningham, Monika Vinson, Katie Webster and Sarah Coker, five great grandsons: Miles Hamrick, Justin Bass, Andrew Masten, Alexander Marland, and Jessie Coker, five great granddaughters: Michelle Nichol, Emily Nichol, Elizabeth Masten, Hailey Vinson and Kyla Coker, two special friends: Betty Black and Alma Forkel and one daughter-in-law: Juana Landivar of Spartanburg, SC. She was predeceased by her husband, her parents and her son: Jerry Dean Vinson, and her brothers and sisters: Lester Cope, Jr., John Willis Cope, Henry Joseph Cope, Harold Milton Cope and Paul Dean Cope, Mary Caroline Cope Silvers, and Peggy Irene Cope Burbage, her grandparents: Willis Deloshia Cope, Mary Elizabeth Swanger Cope, John Boman Baker, and Margaret Emily Caroline Burnett Baker. Funeral service will be held Monday, December 13, 2010 at 1 o’clock at James A. Dyal Funeral Home Chapel, Summerville. Burial will follow at Highland Memory Gardens, Jedburg. Friends may call at the funeral home from 6 until 8 o’clock on Sunday evening. The family will receive friends after the burial at the home of Timothy Winningham, 251 Greyback Road, Jedburg.

Ruby Cope Winningham

January 25, 1930 - December 9, 2010