Shirley P Winn

Shirley Diane (Law) Patterson Winn entered this life on November 23, 1942, as the youngest of ten children to the late Arthur Law and Marjorie Lee Law. At age two, Shirley was adopted by two loving parents, Othelia Jones Patterson and Oscar Patrick Patterson of Roanoke, VA. She graduated from Lucy Addison High School in 1961 and attended St. Paul’s College in Lawrenceville, VA, on a choir scholarship. She returned to Roanoke, VA and continued her education at Phillip’s School of Business. She shared her strong and compassionate administrative skills with several churches and corporations, including Pilgrim Baptist Church and Allstate in Roanoke, VA and Nationwide Insurance Company in Lynchburg, VA, where she retired in 2006 after 25 years of service.

She met the love of her life and married Dr. Alfred Allen Winn, and served alongside him in ministry as the first lady and music director of many different churches: Wrightsville Baptist Church (Covington, VA), Mt. Carmel Baptist Church (Lynchburg, VA), Baptist Union Baptist Church (Dillwyn, VA), Scott Zion Baptist Church (Madison Heights, VA) and Harvest Fire FGBC (Lynchburg, VA). Pastor Winn preceded Lady Shirley in death and received his reward in 2009.

As a lifelong resident of Roanoke, Lynchburg, and Madison Heights, VA, Shirley actively engaged in several faith and civic organizations in the community, too enumerable to name. As a classically trained lyric soprano, Shirley traveled and sang nationwide, spreading the gospel through song. She often sang on television and radio programs, was a radio DJ on WTOY 1480 AM, the Soul in Roanoke station, and choirmaster. Shirley was a featured soloist for the Gospel Music Workshop of America, The Hampton Ministers’ Conference, The Gospel Three, Ordinary People, and the Winn Family Singers. Her desire was to minister to the hurting and bring souls to Christ.

Affectionately known as “Twirley,” Shirley was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, friend, mentor, and First Lady. She leaves to cherish her memory:

Her Legacy: Mark A. Winn (Deidre), Lisa D. Winn Bryan (Richard), Kimberly D. Winn-Elliott (Eric) and Brie-David Schultz (William)

Her precious and cherished grandchildren: Cameron Winn, Kyra Winn, April Winn, Andrew Elliott, Aaron Elliott, and Stephen Schultz

Loving Cousins and Friend: Lois Brooks, Letrulia Dooley, Ted Dooley, and Eddie Booker

And…a host of nieces, nephews, adopted sons and daughters, friends and family.

A Funeral Service will be held Saturday, July 15, 2023 at 12 noon at Scott Zion Baptist Church with burial following at the Baptist Cemetery. Mrs. Winn will lie in state one hour before the service.

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family.

Click here to view the tribute DVD