Gloria Marie Winniford

On Tuesday, Feb 26, 2019, Gloria Winniford, 95, of Sublimity, Oregon, completed her life on earth and walked into the arms of her savior, Jesus Christ. Gloria was born in Grants Pass to William and Myrtle Wunsch in 1924. She grew up in Glendale, Oregon and graduated from Glendale High School. She attended Willamette University, graduating in 1945 and then taught at Salem Academy for one year – the year it started. In 1946, Gloria went to New York to study at the New York Biblical Seminar and prepare for Christian Education service. Upon returning to Oregon she was offered a job at the First Presbyterian Church in Roseburg. There she worked with the youth, did church visitation, and taught in two country Sunday Schools – Garden Valley and Green. It was in Garden Valley where she met her future husband Tom Winniford. Tom’s cousin went to the Garden Valley class and he asked Gloria to contact Tom as he was no longer attending. She did and he responded the next Sunday. After a long pursuit on Tom’s part, three years later in 1951, they were married at Gloria’s home church in Glendale. They settled in Central Point, Oregon for 30 years, then moving to Salem and for the last 20 years in Sublimity. Throughout Gloria’s life, she has poured her energy into serving God, her family and her church, she has taught Sunday School classes and Bible History in schools. Even to this last year, she was co-leading a bible study with friends. c She is survived by a daughter, Wren Clark, and son, Bill Winniford. Granddaughter Jane Clark, grandsons Michael Clark, Andrew Winniford, David Winniford, and Paul Winniford. Great grandchildren Nathanial, Thomas, Hannah, Ruth, and Gloria. The family wishes to express their thanks to Picksey Gray for the wonderful care and companionship she has given Gloria over the last few years. A memorial service celebrating her life will be held at Calvary Baptist Church of Salem on Saturday, March 9 at 11 am. Contributions in her memory can be made to the Union Gospel Mission of Salem