Sherwin A. "Sherm" Winniford
July 13th, 1931 - January 4th, 2020
Sherwin A. (Sherm) Winniford, beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle, cousin, and friend went home peacefully Saturday, January 4, 2020 at the age of 88 surrounded by his family. Funeral services will be at St. Louis Catholic Church on January 11 at 10:00 AM with Fr. Ryan Higdon officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. Visitation will be held Friday, January 10 from 5:00 to 7:30 PM at OakCrest Funeral Home. Sherm, son of Claude Sherwin and Stella Mae (Witcher), was born July 13, 1931, and grew up on a farm outside Cumby, Texas. He attended East Texas State Teachers College, graduating in 1952 with a Bachelor’s degree in history. He served in the United States Air Force from 1952 to 1955 and then attended Baylor Law School, graduating in 1958. Sherm practiced law in Waco for 43 years with the firm of Fulbright Winniford. He married Mildred (Torchy) Brown in 1954, and she preceded him in 1990. They had two sons, Dustye and John Charles. In 1992 he married Elaine Ferguson, and for the next 28 years they traveled, played golf (his favorite courses were in Hawaii), and shared so many of life’s blessings. He enjoyed watching Baylor football as well as the Baylor Lady Bears. An avid reader, Sherm never turned down a book, especially when it was a biography or World War II history. He was a friend to all animals and was an incredible storyteller. Many friendships began with “Blue Suede Shoes”! His insight, sense of fairness, generosity, and dedication to the law will long be remembered. Preceding him in death were his parents; Torchy; mothers-in-law, Lillian “Mama” Brown and Helen Rose; father-in-law, Robert “Papa” Brown; brother, Dewayne and wife, Gloria Winniford; and brother-in-law, Richard Blackshear. He is survived by his wife, Elaine; sons, Dustye and John Charles; grandson, Randall; brother, Joe Don Winniford and wife, Mary; sisters-in-law, Boo Robinson and Kim Blackshear; brother-in-law, Clifton Robinson and wife, Betsy; nieces, Donna Davis, Devy Bert, Holly Robinson and husband, Nathan; nephews, John Winniford and wife, Nikki, Steve Winniford, Gordon Robinson and wife, Valerie, Charles Robinson, Beau Blackshear and wife, Samantha; many life long friends; and his precious dogs, Baxter and Buddy. Sherm’s family extends their heartfelt gratitude to Drs. Wayne Falcone, Tom Lundeen, Jeffrey Young, and Gary Barbin, as well as to Mary, Tootie, and Vicki, formerly with Providence Cardiac Rehab, for the exceptional care provided to Sherm over the years. The family also thanks Dr. Adam Falcone, Missy, and the Bluebonnet Hospice family, especially Anthony, Jessica, Patricia, and Stacy for their support. |