Lyndel Chester Winfrey

Lyndel Chester (Joe) Winfrey, age 74, of Floyd, passed away Saturday, July 20, 2013. He was born Feb. 15, 1939 to the late Chester and Katie Winfrey. He was also preceded in death by one brother, Glendon (Bill) Winfrey. Lyndel and Glendon got their nicknames, Joe and Bill, from a radio show during their childhood. Those names stuck with them throughout their lives. Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Linda Winfrey; one son, David Winfrey and his wife Delores of Floyd; two daughters, Karen Cobb and husband, Jerry Des Arc, and Donna Jo Davis and husband, Dennis, of Floyd; one brother, Elton Winfrey of Lonoke; two sisters, Geneva Stauber of Vilonia, and Imogene Huffman of Lonoke; two grandsons and two step-grandchildren. Lyndel loved life and keeping busy. He loved to play football when he was in school. At age 18, he married the love of his life, Linda. He went to work as a mechanic at Chicopee Manufacturing in 1962 to support his wife and three children. In 1982, he suffered a life changing injury when he survived a 28 foot fall at work that shattered his body and ended his career at the factory. He continued to push on and later survived two heart attacks and a stroke. Nothing kept him down long. He endured surgery, hip replacement, knee replacement; whatever it took to keep him active until the end. He might not have done things as fast or as easily as others, but he continued to do them. He taught us to never say, "I Can't." Lyndel enjoyed going to yard sales and visiting with men at the Beebe Flea Market. Lyndel loved to be outdoors. Hunting was a passion of his, especially deer hunting. When he wasn't scouting outside, he was inside plotting how a deer thinks. Lyndel loved farming and raising cattle. He always had a big garden, even this year. He worked hard all his life. Lyndel loved his family. He was the head of the household and let you know it. His daughter Donna would tease him and tell him he might rule the roost but Momma Linda ruled the Rooster. He loved Linda. He would make up silly poems and songs and sing them to her. He would pick flowers for her vase. He made her little presents and always told her he loved her. He loved family fish fries. He loved to joke with and tease his family. His daughter-in-law and sons-in-laws didn't get excluded. He was candid and told it like he saw it. He expected the best of people and gave his best. To some, he was the man on top of the hill, but to this family, he was everything. He spoiled all of his family rotten but also taught us to work hard and be proud of it. He taught us to love one another like there was no tomorrow. He will be deeply missed and forever loved. Visitation will be held Monday, July 22 from 6-7 p.m. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, July 23 at 10 a.m. at Floyd United Methodist Church with the Reverend Mark Quick officiating. Burial will be at New Floyd Cemetery. Arrangements by Westbrook, a Smith Family Funeral Home. www.SmithFamilyCares.com.