SHERIFF CAREY A. WINDERS
Jan. 11, 1957-Jan. 24, 2014
Sheriff Carey Aaron Winders, age 57, died suddenly following an apparent heart attack at his home. Born in Wilson County, he was the son of the late Benjamin Aaron Winders and Emily Ernestine Benton Winders. A member of Union Grove Original Free Will Baptist Church, he was a member of Harmony Masonic Lodge 340 and the Wayne County Shrine Club. He was a member of the Wayne County Republican Party and its executive committee, the Sons of Confederate Veterans, the National Rifle Association, the NAACP and the Goldsboro Elks Lodge. He was also a member of the Fraternal Order of Police, the Police Benevolent Association, the North Carolina Sheriff's Association and the National Sheriff's Association, along with being a member of the Advisory Board for the Law Enforcement Training Program at Wayne Community College.
A service to celebrate his life will be held Wednesday, Jan. 29, at 2 p.m. at Kornegay Arena at the University of Mount Olive, with Pastor John Massengill and Dr. Richard Glosson officiating. Burial will follow in Wayne Memorial Park, with Sheriff's Honors provided by the Wayne County Sheriff's Honor Guard followed by Masonic Rites. Family members will greet friends on Tuesday night, Jan. 28, from 4 to 9 p.m. at Faith Free Will Baptist Church.
Sheriff Winders is survived by his best friend and wife, Teresa Winders; his three daughters, Jessica W. Rouse and husband, Jason, of LaGrange, Ashley W. Sparks and husband, Travis, of Pikeville, Carianne Rose Winders, of the home, and dear friend, Lawrence Pipkin; his grandchildren, Lainey Rae Sparks and Charleigh Grace Rouse; three sisters, Marie Sanderford and husband, Dan, of Lehigh Acres, Fla., Annette Howell of Pikeville, Patsy Ginn of Washington, N.C.; his mother-in-law, Velma Sullivan of Pinkney; two brothers-in-law, Sonny Brooks Sullivan and wife, Debbie, of Goldsboro, Terry Lynn Sullivan of Dudley and his dear friend, Sharon Herring; numerous nieces and nephews; and his very special family at the Wayne County Sheriff's Department.
After being elected the first Republican Sheriff in Wayne County in 100 years, he was able to modernize and to make Wayne County second to none. He was able to acquire grants and drug seizure money to provide his officers with the latest technology and equipment to protect and serve the citizens of Wayne County. He was very concerned with the safety of the citizens of Wayne County and made it his policy to always have his door open and to make himself available to them. He was always putting others before himself. There was always a special place in his heart for children who were victims of crime and it caused him much heartache to make death notices to families.
Carey was very compassionate, tremendously tenderhearted and very generous to everyone. He loved everyone, but most important was his family. Above all was the love for his wife, daughters and grandchildren. He was a good Christian man who will leave a legacy in Wayne County and very large cowboy boots to fill. He will also be remembered for being a prankster and for his infectious laugh.
His body will lie in state at Shumate-Faulk Funeral Home on Monday from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. and Tuesday from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be directed to Union Grove Original Free Will Baptist Church, 1283 Union Grove Church Road, Fremont, NC 27830; or to the Wounded Warriors Project, 4200 Morganton Road, Suite 300, Fayetteville, NC 28314.
Shumate-Faulk Funeral Home is serving the Winders family and online condolences may be directed to www.shumate-faulk.com
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on January 26, 2014 11:58 AM