Winnie Frances Luffman, age 80 of State Road, NC, died July 5, 2012 at Hugh Chatham Nursing Center in Elkin, NC. Winnie was born October 18, 1931, the daughter of Butrice and Winfrey Luffman of State Road. She was preceded in death by her parents and one sister, Lucy Luffman Dearing and her husband, John Proctor Dearing, both of Ocracoke, NC. She is survived by one sister, Jean Luffman Humber and her husband John L. Humber of Chapel Hill, NC. She is also survived by one nephew, John Michael Humber of Charlotte, NC and five nieces, Ninette Humber of Greensboro, NC, Lucie Humber Swanson of Belleville, MI, Lori Dearing Sandridge of Chapel Hill, NC, Rachel Dearing Pakenham of St. Croix, the Virgin Islands, and Briana Dearing of Durham, NC; great niece, Aissa Dearing-Benton of Durham, NC and two great nephews, Jeremy David Swanson of Ypsilanti, MI and Brian Albert Swanson of Boone, NC. Additionally surviving are one great nephew, Lucas Swanson of Ypsilanti, MI and two great nieces, Elizabeth Swanson and Emily Swanson, both of Ypsilanti, MI. Winnie was a lifelong member of Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church in State Road, NC. She attended Mountain Park Elementary School and graduated from Elkin High School in 1949. She earned an Associate in Arts degree from Mars Hill Junior College in 1951 and concluded her studies in home economics at the Woman's College of the University of North Carolina in Greensboro, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1953. She continued at woman's College to earn her Master of Science degree in 1955. Winnie was elected to the National Home Economics Honor Society and was twice chosen as Teacher of the Year for her department at the University of Georgia. She was also a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and several professional organizations. Winnie taught Home Economics at High Point College, High Point, NC from 1953 to 1956 and then for thirty years at the University of Georgia, in Athens, GA as a professor specializing in fabrics and fabric design in the Department of Home Economics. She retired in June of 1987 to her childhood home in State Road. Winnie was a resident of Hugh Chatham Nursing Center for the past five years. A graveside service will be conducted Sunday, August 5, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. at Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church in State Road. Memorials may be made in her honor to Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church, 1997 Pleasant Ridge Road, State Road, NC 28676.
