Grayson Ford Winters

Notes:

Grayson Ford Winters, age 69, Elizabethton, TN went home to be with his Lord after a long battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his loving family at his home at the time of his death.

Grayson was of the Christian faith. He was a quiet man with a quick wit. Grayson was from a time when a man was his word; he strongly believed in honesty and integrity. Grayson had strong family values and struggled with grief over the last year due to the loss of his wife, Rhonda, who lost her cancer battle one year ago. He loved his grandchildren and was very proud of their accomplishments. His great-grandson, Brody, was a special light in his life. Grayson had a constant loving companion in his dog, Sam.

Grayson was the son of the late Paul and Mildred Winters formerly of Hampton. He graduated from Hampton High School and the Donaldson Police Academy in 1978. He was retired from the Elizabethton Police Department and the First Judicial Drug Task Force; where he served as director for twelve years. There were many drug operations under his leadership. Grayson loved his work in law enforcement and took great pride in getting drugs off the streets. After his time with the Drug Task Force, Grayson returned to the Elizabethton Police Department and was promoted to Sergeant.

Prior to medical retirement, he finished out his career as a detective in criminal investigations. Grayson mentored many young officers and made lifelong friends throughout his career in law enforcement.

In addition to his parents, Grayson was preceded in death by his wife of forty-nine years, Rhonda Winters; a sister, Jeanette Allen; a brother, Richard Winters and several nieces and nephews.

Survivors include his children, Deanna McInturff and husband Tim, Elizabethton; Gregory Winters and wife Nikki, Elizabethton and Pam Ward, Jonesborough; grandchildren, Blake Ward, Drew Ward, Daniel McInturff, Katharyne Bailey, Kayla Winters, Kassie Winters and Cloe' Winters and a great-grandson, Brody McInturff; a sister, Brenda Taylor and husband Gene; a brother, Charles Winters and wife Linda; a brother-in-law, Marvin Allen and a sister-in-law, Gloria Winters. Several nieces and nephews also survive.

A service to honor the life of Grayson Ford Winters will be conducted at 7:00 PM on Friday, July 10, 2015, in the Sunset Chapel of Hathaway - Percy Funeral and Cremation Services with Rev. Rusty Verran and Rev. Doug Hartley officiating. Honor guard will be provided by the Elizabethton Police Department.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 5:00 – 7:00 PM on Friday prior to the service or at the residence at any time.

Committal and entombment service will be conducted at 1:00 PM on Saturday, July 11, 2015 in the Mausoleum of Peace of Happy Valley Memorial Park. Active pallbearers will be Frank Peters, Elonza Perkins, Daniel McInturff, Justin Bailey, Roger Deal, John Rainbolt, Don Taylor and Mike Winters. Honorary pallbearers will be Blake Ward, Drew Ward, Eddie McGee, Phil Asher, Daryl Garland and all police officers, detectives and drug agents that Grayson worked with during his law enforcement career.

Grayson married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Paul married Mildred Holden on 9 Jun 1936 in Carter County, , , Tennessee. Mildred was born on 6 Feb 1921 in Carter County, , , Tennessee; died on 16 Nov 1997 in Carter County, , , Tennessee; was buried in Morgan Branch Baptist Church Cemetery, , Carter County, Tennessee. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

He is living with his son Horton in the 1940 Carter County, TN Census

Robert married Elizabeth Ella "Betty" Cook on 13 Sep 1903 in Carter County, , , Tennessee. Elizabeth (daughter of Charles Gilbert Cook and Nancy Caroline Whitehead) was born on 30 Aug 1885 in North Carolina, , , ; died on 21 Apr 1939 in Washintgon County, , , Tennessee; was buried in Cook Cemetery, , Avery County, North Carolina. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Daniel married Martha Elizabeth Richardson about 1871 in Carter County, , , Tennessee. Martha was born in Jan 1855 in Carter County, , , Tennessee; died on 11 Jan 1933 in Carter County, , , Tennessee; was buried in Winters Mountain View Cemetery, , Carter County, Tennessee. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Charles married Nancy Caroline Whitehead about 1883 in Mitchell County, , , North Carolina. Nancy (daughter of Andrew Whitehead and Malinda Lucinda Winters) was born on 29 Apr 1868 in Mitchell County, , , North Carolina; died on 25 Apr 1925 in , Avery County, North Carolina, ; was buried in Cook Cemetery, , Avery County, North Carolina. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]