Mrs. Wiltha R. Winfrey

Wiltha Ree Winfrey was born unto Rev. Clarence McGee and Freddie Mae Tyler-McGee on August 6, 1939 in Ruleville, Mississippi. Wiltha was the oldest out of her ten beautiful siblings. She spoke highly of she loved her parents. She loved her family with all her heart, enjoyed spending time with them and worked on the farm and cotton fields in her younger years. Wiltha was born and raised in church; she blossomed into a beautiful compassionate woman of Christ. 

She graduated from Hunter High School in Drew, Mississippi on May 23, 1960. Upon her graduation she met Willie D. Winfrey and shortly after they were united in Holy Matrimony on February 24, 1961. Willie D. and Wiltha Ree just recently celebrated 60 years of marriage. They decided to move from Mississippi for a better opportunity in life, so they relocated to Indianapolis, Indiana. Willie D.’s sister, Della Wheeler (rest in peace) helped them get established in the new city. Wiltha and Della had a beautiful sister-in-law relationship which lasted throughout the years. 

Wiltha worked in the medical field which does not come as a surprise because of her altruistic spirit and love for her children. She had many years of being deeply rooted in church. First Lady Wiltha and Pastor Willie Winfrey dedicated themselves to the work of the Lord. Under the leadership of the late Supt. James and First Lady Dorothy Robinson she served as their Secretary, Local and District President of the Sunshine Band Department for many years and an Asst. District Missionary to the late Mother Nannie B. Bartlett and was committed to various auxiliaries throughout the church. Wiltha was also a driver for the church mothers when they needed a ride to church, to the store or any appointments. We also cannot overlook First Lady Wiltha’s style of fashion, especially how she wore those elegant church hats on Sunday. 

Mother Winfrey was a soldier in the army of the Lord. She was known to carry not 1 but 2 bibles to church. She lived in the fellowship with God and set her love upon Him while constantly calling His name. Mother Winfrey was a praying woman with a forgiving heart who loved the Lord unconditionally. As we remember one of her quotes she used to say, “Whatever you need, God’s got it”. Rest assured she was a firm believer, a prayer warrior and a doer of the word. 

Psalms 145:18-19

The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.

He will fulfill the desire of them that fear him; he also will hear their cry, and will save them.

On the morning of Monday, February 15, 2021 at 6:40 am, an angel came down from heaven to escort Mother Wiltha to be in the presence of the Lord and her Savior. Her parents, Rev. Clarence Sr. and Freddie Mae Tyler-McGee; two brothers, Charles and Clarence McGee (Minnie); and two sisters, Lois McGee-Byrd and Johnnie Ruth McGee-Ford all preceded her in death.  

She leaves to forever cherish her memory to her devoted husband, Willie D. Winfrey; five children: Nita Powell (John), Darryle Winfrey (Kim), Dina, Theresa and Demarc; twenty-one grandchildren; thirty-six great-grandchildren; three sisters: Gloria Williams (Jeff), Pearl Hairlson (Eld. James) and Shirley Fry (Karl); two brothers, Jesse McGee (Joyce) and Alonzo McGee (Denise); uncle, John McGee; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and Robinson Temple COGIC family. On behalf of the family of Wiltha Winfrey we would like to extend our deepest appreciation to Antonio Rippy whom she was under his medical care until her transition.