Reginald C. Winstead

A bold, vibrant and valiant spirit was born in Roxboro, North Carolina, on June 8, 1940: Reginald "Reggie" Carnegie Winstead. He was the third of four children born to Albert and Nellie Nelson Winstead. Reggie was a loving husband of 59 years to his wife, Doris, and father to their sons Dwayne and Gregory. Reggie accepted Christ and was baptized at an early age at his family church, Quinn Chapel A.M.E. in Roxboro, North Carolina. He contributed to the church and kept his membership there throughout his lifetime. Reggie was educated in the public schools of Person County, North Carolina, and was known to be an outstanding student - always on the honor roll. In June 1958 Winstead graduated from Person County High School and went on to matriculate at North Carolina A&T State University where he became part of the ROTC program and enthusiastic member of the marching band. He played the trombone and bassoon. Reggie was also inducted into his beloved Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. He graduated from A&T in June 1962 with a B.S. in music. Reggie was commissioned into the U.S. Army in December 1962 and attended basic training at Ft. Knox, Kentucky, where he met Doris who lived and taught in Louisville, Kentucky. They married January 30, 1965, at the Green Street Baptist Church where Doris' father, the late Rev. Dr. Jesse V. Bottoms, Sr., was pastor and performed the wedding ceremony. Reggie departed for Korea the spring of that year. Among Reggie's stateside assignments were positions at Hampton University (then Hampton Institute) where he was an instructor of Military Science and simultaneously earned an M.S. in Guidance and Counseling. He served on the Staff of the Armed Forces Staff College in Norfolk, Virginia (now Joint Forces Staff College). While at the Staff College he found time to teach an evening class in statistics at Norfolk State University. Reggie's overseas assignments took him to Korea, Germany, and Vietnam. During his one tour in Vietnam, during the 1968 Tet Offensive, Reggie successfully led soldiers as an Infantry unit officer for three Counter Offense campaigns. He was a decorated combat veteran with numerous noteworthy medals that include a Bronze Star (three), Presidential Unit Citation, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Silver Star, Republic of Vietnam Cross Unit Citation with Palm, and a Combat Infantry Badge. After 26 years of dedicated service and sacrifice for his country and achieving the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, Reggie retired honorably in February 1988. Reggie never forgot his relationship with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He sang in overseas chapel choirs. He also used his musical gifts to glorify God by serving faithfully as director of the Joyce K. Peterson Handbell Choir at Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia, from the mid-1990s to early 2000s, a duty he treasured dearly. Reggie took his last breath at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland on Sunday, September 15, 2024. He was proceeded in death by his parents, brothers Harold and Vernon Sr., and sister Blondell. He leaves to celebrate his life his adoring wife, Doris, of Springfield, Virginia, and loving sons, Dwayne of San Gabriel, California/Springfield, Virginia, and Gregory of Chicago, Illinois. Also left to mourn are sisters-in-law Barbara Rollins of Louisville, Kentucky, Rita Winstead-Washington of Durham, North Carolina, Valencia Winstead of Chicago, Illinois, and Jacquette "Jackie" Bottoms of Poughkeepsie, New York, as well as brothers-in-law, Rev. Dr. Jesse V. Bottoms, Jr., of Poughkeepsie, New York, and Theodore "Ted" Witherspoon, Sr., of Upper Marlboro, Maryland. Also celebrating Reggie's life are his special aunts, Quincey Eaves, Jettlean Pettiford, Savannah Lewis, and Thelma Taylor, and a host of loving cousins, nephews, nieces and friends. We love and miss our Reggie, but we know that in Christ, it ain't over. We will see him again. This we know for sure! .

Reginald C. Winstead

June 8, 1940 - September 15, 2024