The Unknown and the Unknowing

Where does one begin in this unknown and unknowing journey?

I begin August 10, 2007. It is with the deepest of love and respect that I have walked this journey with you, my dear sweet Mother. It is with this same deep love and respect that I now watch as you and God begin the final part of this journey. You are going Home and I am staying here. You have blessed my life. You have nurtured my spirit. God loaned you to me for a while. I did my best to take care of you for Him.

Winnie Elizabeth Jones Winslow
April 10, 1923 – August 10, 2007

Winnie Elizabeth Jones Winslow, 84, of Bryan passed away Friday, August 10, 2007 at her home. Visitation for family and friends will be from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, August 15 at Memorial Funeral Chapel in Bryan. Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, August 16 at Memorial Funeral Chapel. The Revs. Dolores Gilbreath Felker of Jonah Overboard Ministries of Houston and Marie Nutall of the New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church of Bryan will officiate. Interment will follow at Bryan City Cemetery.

A fifth generation Texan and Bryanite, Winnie was born in Bryan on April 10, 1923, to Horace Otto Jones and Agnes Elizabeth Kubicek Jones Messina. The first time her parents met, Horace was teaching at Goodson School and Agnes was one of his students. Winnie's father, an attorney who served as Brazos County Clerk and District Clerk, was also the Brazos County Surveyor whose surveys were used as the basis for all Brazos County maps. Her father died when she was 13 months old, and her mother later married Anthony "Tony" Joseph Messina. Winnie grew up on the Messina farm along the Brazos River near Smetana and had a special bond with her Grandpa Messina. Winnie's great-grandfather, John H. Jones Sr., and her great-great-grandfather, Dr. Thomas J. Wootton, and their families were among the early settlers of Brazos and Robertson Counties. On September 20, 1941, Winnie married Ben J. Winslow, who was serving as a medic in the U. S. Army, 2nd Medical Battalion. Prior to being sent to Omaha Beach on D-Day, Ben was stationed at Camp McCoy in La Crosse, Wis., where he was joined by Winnie and their daughter, Jeanette. After he was sent to Europe, Winnie and Jeanette returned to Bryan where they awaited his return. After his return and almost four years after Jeanette was born, they had another daughter, Joyce.

Winnie was educated at Smetana School, Stephen F. Austin High School and McKenzie-Baldwin Business College. She was office manager and accountant for her husband's commercial construction company and later retired from The Eagle. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Winnie was a lifelong student of various religions and philosophies. She was an avid reader, writer, genealogist and gardener. Winnie will be remembered most for her commitment to her spirituality, her engaging smile, her "green thumb," her special recipes and cooking skills, and, particularly in her last few months, giving her family and friends a special wink she learned from her daughter Jeanette.

Winnie was preceded in death by her husband, Ben J. Winslow; father, Horace Otto Jones; mother, Agnes Elizabeth Kubicek Jones Messina; stepfather, Anthony "Tony" Joseph Messina; and brother, Horace "Wayne" Weldon Jones.

Survivors include her daughters, Jeanette E. Winslow of Houston and Joyce E. Winslow of Bryan; three grandchildren, Gordon Boswell and wife, Debbie of Pearland, Tammy Boswell Kosub and husband, Kenneth, and Shannon Boggess Muse and husband, Jason, all of Katy; six great-grandchildren, Abigail and Blake Boswell of Pearland, Texas, Ashley and Kyle Kosub and Madison and Haley Muse, all of Katy, Texas; one brother-in-law, Jack E. Winslow and wife, Ruth, of Franklin, Texas; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers are Jason Muse, Buddy Haney, Richard Hubacek, Doug McKee, Del Rowe and Billy Ebner.

The family would like to express its thanks to Hospice Brazos Valley in Bryan, with special thanks to Dinah, Emily and Laura for their love, kindness and compassion.

Memorials may be made to Hospice Brazos Valley in Bryan, 502 W. 26th St., Bryan, Texas 77803.