Winston R Whitfield

On Tuesday, September 25, 2012, the Lord called home from labor to reward, Rev. Winston R. Whitfield. He was born January 5, 1944 in Ft. Smith, Arkansas to the late Rev. Thomas Jefferson Whitfield and Emma Jones Whitfield. He was the seventh of 12 siblings.
He attended and graduated from Lincoln High School in Ft. Smith. He later attended Westark Community College in Ft. Smith, where he received as Associate of Applied Science and a Registered Nursing License. He continued to further his education and received numerous degrees and certification from various schools of religion and theology.
Rev. Whitfield accepted Christ as his personal Savior in 1950 and united with the First Baptist Church in Ft. Smith under the leadership of Rev. Walton.
Rev. Whitfield met the love of his life, Ms. Gladys Lee Freeman and they united in marriage on April 3, 1970. This union was blessed with six daughters and two sons. He was also a loving father to many honorary children and grandchildren whom he loved as his own.
Rev. Whitfield was ordained and served as a deacon for three months at First Baptist of Ft. Smith before being called into the ministry. He was later called as the pastor of Zion Missionary Baptist Church of Alma, Arkansas where he served for 21 years. He later moved to the Texarkana area in 1994 as Director of Nursing of Health South Rehabilitation in Texarkana, Texas. In 1995, Rev. Whitfield was called to pastor the New Dora Missionary Baptist Church in Tom, Oklahoma. He served as pastor at New Dora until the Lord called him to his side.
He is preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, one sister, and a daughter, Eloise Harris-Dawson.
Rev. Whitfield leaves to cherish his memory and to celebrate his life: his loving and devoted wife, Gladys Lee Whitfield of the home; five daughters, Marvel Harris of Ft. Smith, Patricia Whitfield-Madison and husband Renald of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Dee Ann Smith of Fresno, California, Hope Whitfield-Muldrew of Texarkana, and Chylynda "Missy" Whitfield-Dean and husband David of Texarkana; two sons, Winston M. Whitfield and Jason T. Whitfield, both of Texarkana; eighteen grandchildren and ten great grandchildren; four sisters, Mary Prudence Webb and husband Don of Monee, Illinois, Adeline Simms and husband Tommy of Fresno, California, Janice Whitfield-Tinsley of Ft. Worth, Texas, and Dee Ann Smith of Fresno, California; two brothers, Rev. Elliot Whitfield and Rev. James Whitfield and wife Rosella, all of Fresno, California; along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, church family and friends.

Funeral services are set for Saturday September 29, 2012 at 11 AM at New Dora Missionary Baptist Church Tom, Oklahoma with Rev. Raymond D. Latson, Officiating.

Also a Funeral is set for Tuesday October 2, 2012 at 11 am at St James Missionary Baptist Church Ft. Smith, Arkansas with Rev. Gary L. Hinkle, Officiating.

Interment will follow at the Fort Smith National Cemetery, Fort Smith, Arkansas at one 1:00 PM.