Frances Winstead, of Franklin, a resident of Franklin, NC since 1953, died Monday, August 4, 2014, at Grandview Manor Care Center, following a period of declining health. She had just had her 98th birthday. She was a native of Nash County, NC and the only daughter of the late George Ashby Winstead and the late Mabel Winstead Holmes.

Miss Winstead was employed by the Macon County School System for 28 years. She was a classroom teacher at Franklin High School in the field of Social Studies in the early years; followed by the position of countywide guidance counselor. She was the first person employed to work in what was at the time an initial and innovative area in the Macon County Schools. For many years she was the sole employee in the guidance program and on several occasions received statewide recognition for her outstanding work in the field of guidance in the Macon County Schools.

Prior to locating in Macon County, she served as Minister of Education in Baptist Churches in Elizabeth City and Concord NC; and as a secretary in the Arkansas Woman’s Missionary Union in Little Rock, AR.

The educational background of Miss Winstead included an undergraduate degree, Cum Laude, from Limestone College, Gaffney, SC; a two year program at Carver School of Missions at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, KY; and a Master’s degree in Guidance and Counseling from Western Carolina University.

A member of the First Baptist Church of Franklin, Miss Winstead was actively involved in the church’s Homebound Ministry for many years. She was a member of the Nequassa Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star. As a member of the Macon County Retired School Personnel, and as chairman of the Scholarship Committee, the program was expanded to include applicants from all three of the high schools in the county. Miss Winstead was also selected as an invited member of the Alpha Iota Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, an international society comprised of women who have been recognized for outstanding accomplishments in the field of education.

She is survived by a great niece, Brandee Winstead of Portland, Oregon and a great nephew, Ashby Winstead of Franklin. Preceding Miss Winstead in death was her one brother, Dr. George Ashby Winstead and two nephews, Graham Winstead and George Winstead.

A Graveside Service will be held at 10 am Friday, August 8, at Woodlawn Cemetery. Pastor Jim Dusek will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Baptist Children’s Home P.O. Box 338
Thomasville, NC 27361-0338. (www.bchfamily.org)

Macon Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Online condolences can be made at maconfuneralhome.com