James R. Winningham

James R. (JR) Winningham, 80, of Naylor, died on Friday, February 10, 2023, at Lakehaven Nursing Home following a period of declining health. He was born in Richmond, Virginia on September 23, 1942, to the late Robert and Helen Phifer Winningham. Mr. Winningham served his country for over 30 years in the 82nd Airborne, Army National Guard, and Special Forces units with the Airforce and Marines. Upon retirement from the Army, he continued his dedicated service in the law enforcement field for multiple counties across three states. He retired as a Captain with the narcotics division with the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office. He was a member of the First Church of Clyattville, a Mason with Azalea Lodge and the Grand Lodge of Georgia, was a member of the American Legion Post 13. He was an avid motorcyclist, a member of the Outback Riders out of Valdosta, Georgia, and was a lifelong servant to God, family, community, and country.

Mr. Winningham is survived by his fiancé, Ann Knight of Naylor; his sons and daughters-in-law, Lester and Vickie Winningham of Aniston, Alabama, Richard Winningham of Coleman, Florida, Jack and Lisa Winningham of Valdosta, J.R. Winningham of Valdosta, Georgia, Michael and Michelle Winningham of Port St. Lucie, Florida; his daughters and sons-in-law, Tracy and Michael Combs of New York, and Tami and Dean Robinson of Orange Park, Florida, Renee and Scott Dickson of Valdosta, and Meredith and Sean Nolan of Valdosta; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; two brothers and a sister-in-law, Thomas Winningham of Lake Park, and Gerald and Chocha Winningham of Sparks, Nevada; his sister and brother-in-law, Gloria and Kelly Doepke of Lakeland, Florida; several nieces and nephews, special friends Mandi Curtis and Joshua Wright of Valdosta, Georgia. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Margaret Winningham. A special thanks to Pruitt Hospice, especially Jamey Inman CNA and Joseph Dollar RN, and an uncountable amount of friends and colleagues.

Services for James R. Winningham will be held on Saturday, February 18, 2023 at 11 a.m. in the chapel of the Carson McLane Funeral Home with Rev. Aaron Kight and Rev. Tommy Bussey officiating. Burial will follow in the McLane Riverview Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. on Friday evening, February 17, 2023, at the funeral home. Condolences to the family may be conveyed online at www.mclanecares.com. Carson McLane Funeral Home