Obituary of Virginia G. Winchester

Virginia Gray Winchester was born to the late Izora Dunlop Gray and Reverend Charles H. Gray, Sr. on March 23, 1930. Known as "Ginny" to her family and friends, she was the 3rd of 8 children. In 1952, she married the late Bernard Winchester, raised three daughters together, and upon his death was married for 47 years. She departed from this life on November 3, 2019, surrounded by the love of her family. She was 89 years old. Virginia graduated from Moorestown High School in 1949, a confident young woman that was driven in her pursuit to become educated. She studied nursing at Mercy-Douglass School of Nursing, the training program for African American nurses in the city of Philadelphia, and became a Registered Nurse in 1951. She obtained a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Nursing from the University of Pennsylvania in 1961, and a Master's of Science in Education from Temple University in 1970. Virginia was dedicated to her profession as an instructor in the Philadelphia Public School system, teaching nurse's aides and prospective nurses at BOK Vocational High School and Phillip Randolph Skill Center for over 20 years. Virginia was a humble and faithful servant of the Lord and active member of Second Baptist Church in Moorestown for many years. She has served as a long-time member of the Trustee Board, Director of Angel Choir, Sunday School Teacher and member of the Senior Choir. Ginny was a loving mother, wife, and grandmother devoted to caring for her immediate and extended family. She believed that keeping in contact was essential, as she would often send a card or make a phone call to let everyone know not to be a stranger. She greeted everyone with a hug and a kiss and if you didn't quite give her your all, she would firmly instruct you to give her "some sugar". Family and friends looked to her guidance, a roll she took very seriously, always making sure that her advice was grounded in the word of God. Virginia is survived by her three daughters, Anita Winchester (Miami, FL), Gina Winchester (Bowie, MD), and Kimberly Winchester (Bowie, MD); three siblings, Marie Harvey (Moorestown, NJ), Charles "Pete" Gray (Mount Laurel), and Marcia Gray Pope (Bowie, MD); four grandchildren, Jenifer Winchester, Tre Barnett, Tea Barnett and Joshua Barsella; a host of nieces, nephews, and loving family members and friends. Sorrowfully Submitted, The Family