Mrs. Marie Davis Winfree, 82, of Fayetteville, NC, passed away on May 5, 2022 at her home.
Her memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, June 4, 2022 at Westminster Presbyterian Church with Rev. Tim Gore officiating. The family will receive friends from 1:00 pm until 1:50 pm at the church prior to the service.
Mrs. Winfree is a native of Johnston County, NC, the daughter of John Milton and Eva McCabe Davis, the Davis family moved to Fayetteville, NC when Marie was a child. She is preceded in death by her parents; her two brothers, Nick and Gene Davis; her beloved husband of 52 years, Ted H. Winfree, and her son, Tim Winfree. Mrs. Winfree is survived by her son David; her daughter-in-law Pam; her granddaughters Misty Cox (Brent); Crystal Davis (Norman); and Heather Staples (Chris). Mrs. Winfree is also survived by her great-grandchildren: Eden Viera, Evalise Viera, Laci Cox, Troy Staples, Lilly Staples, and Freyja Davis; and her sister, Wanda Strother (Mike).
Marie Davis Winfree was a bookkeeper for many years for local businesses, but she was also a driving force behind many creative endeavors in southeastern North Carolina. Mrs. Winfree was the creator, producer, and host of the award-winning public radio program “A Time to Listen” which was broadcast for over a decade from the campus of Fayetteville State University. The program featured local writers who read their original works live on air. Mrs. Winfree was also a Weymouth Fellow, a Fortner Writers Forum Poet, and storyteller to many local children through her association with the Cumberland County Schools. As a freelancer, she wrote articles for several publications, and a column concerning holistic health for Carolina Business Magazine. She was a founding member and one-time president and treasurer of Writer’s Ink Guild; a member of Writer’s Network; the North Carolina Poetry Society; and the Professional Writers Group. She presented programs of poetry, creative writing, and storytelling for civic organizations, public schools, and libraries. Many of Mrs. Winfree’s works have appeared in anthologies, newspapers, and magazines at the local and state levels.
An avid gardener, Mrs. Winfree spent a lot of time getting her yard “just right” while at the same time, she was also ready and willing to go on an adventure, whether across the state or across the world, on a whim. She was beloved by her family and friends, who miss her zest for life. Her energy was unmatched and all who knew her were charmed by her smile and her laugh.
Services for Mrs. Winfree are entrusted to Rogers and Breece Funeral Home and Crematorium.
