Elder Herbert Winfield

WINFIELD ~ Herbert Winfield was born January 31, 1946, in Ensley, Alabama and was the youngest of nine children born to the late Luther and Annie Winfield,
Sr.  He attended #53 Grammar School and he attended church as a youth at Walls Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, Reverend James T. Hemphill.

Herbert always had a flair for excellence in his life, and he graduated from East High School in June of 1964 with many accolades.  He was voted ‘Most Popular’ and ‘Best Dressed’ by his classmates.  Herbert excelled in academia and football.  After graduation in 1964, he enlisted in the United States Air Force where he served as an Air Patrol Policeman during his tour of Viet Nam for four years.  After the military, Herbert attended Wilberforce University and then Erie Community College in Buffalo, New York, where he received his Associates Degree.  April 25, 1969, he met the love of his life and they were married July 15, 1972.

In 1977, Herbert received Christ at the age of thirty-one.  He was saved under the leadership of Rev. Wells at Walls Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church. The Lord led Herbert to the Word of Life Church (Rev. Jennie Lombardo), where he became knowledgeable of and participated in the prison ministry.  There, he was ordained as a prison minister and later became leader of that group.  As he continued to grow in the Lord, he was led to Mount Olive Baptist Church (Rev. William Gillison, Jr.), where he taught Sunday School and was very active in his local church.  Herbert introduced and established Mount Olive’s prison ministry and traveled to many maximum-security prisons in New York and along the East Coast where he ministered to many men on death row. 

In 2005, Herbert and Joann moved to Jacksonville, Florida, fellowshipping with Bethel Baptist Institutional Church where Herbert was then ordained as an Elder by Bishop Rudolph McKissick, Jr.  Later, joining the Potters House under Bishop Vaugh & Lady Narlene McLaughlin.  During the latter years of his life though dealing with health issues, he continued to serve God wholeheartedly as an Elder and an active worshipper.  His other membership was at the Winston Family Y M C A, where they enjoyed a number of activities and fellowship.  He never went anywhere without reaching out to someone to find out if they knew the Lord and to offer salvation to them if they did not.  He always had time to lead someone to Jesus.

Preceded in death by his parents; brother, Luther Winfield, Jr., sister, Eula Barkley, Mary Lou Winfield.  Herbert is survived by his loving wife of forty-seven years, Joanne Gibbs-Winfield; children, Tangie (Ronald) Lampkin of Opelika, Alabama, Herbert Winfield, Jr (Erika) of Jacksonville, Florida, and Wesley (Paulette) Winfield of Atlanta, Georgia; special daughter, Lillian McCullough; sisters, Gertrude Brown, Lillian Dussett, Marin Winfield, Maxine Harris, and Lee Alexander (Sharon) Winfield; eight grandchildren; two great grandchildren, four godsons; one goddaughter; a host of nephews, nieces, cousins extended family and friends. 

Celebration of life Service of Herbert Winfield will be 11:00 AM Friday, November 1, 2019, at The Potter’s House International Ministries 5119 Normandy Blvd, Bishop Vaughn McLaughlin.   Visitation THURSDAY 5 – 7:00 PM at The Soutel Chapel.  Interment in Jacksonville National Cemetery.  Arrangements entrusted to J. E. Fralin & Sons Funeral & Cremation Services, 5065 Soutel Dr. ~ 904.924.9400. 

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