Margie O'Neal Winn

Margie O'Neal Winn passed away on Nov. 17, 2025, at age 100.

A memorial service will be held at 2pm Wednesday, November 26, 2025 at Fair Funeral Home Chapel in Eden. Burial will follow at Ridgeview Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service.

She was born in Norfolk, Va., moved to rural Hyde County, NC at a young age and was reared on a farm by her father and grandmother. The Great Depression wasn't so bad, she'd say, since her family never had much to begin with. After high school, Margie moved to Norfolk to work at the Naval Operating Base. There she met a dark-haired young sailor, Milfred Winn, on his way to deployment in the Philippines. They corresponded during the war and Milfred wrote, "This has been the longest year I ever knew. I hope we can be married just as soon as I get back, for I never want to have to leave you again." At the conclusion of the war, they married in the naval port of Marblehead, Mass. He would be the love of her life.

Margie and Milfred settled in his native Leaksville, NC and children soon followed: Marcia, then Ronnie. Especially dear to Margie was her new mother-in-law, Valeria Winn, who doted on her like a daughter. Knowing little of her own mother, Margie idolized Valeria and regarded her as one of the greatest people she'd ever known. In 1971, Milfred died of a heart attack at home. Their 25 years together defined love for Margie and she never remarried, nor seriously considered it.

Margie knew misfortune yet seemed incapable of self-pity. There was simply no use in complaining and too much gained from seeking joy in small moments. Her favorite moments were loud Christmas mornings, afternoons at the creek with grandchildren, and family pilgrimages to the Outer Banks to meet up with her dear childhood cousin, Walter, an incorrigible Skip-Bo cheat.

She liked to spend time with younger friends and developed many lifelong relationships in which she mentored tolerance and empathy. Her favorite quote was, "kill them with kindness."

Margie was a voracious reader and a menace at the bridge table. She accepted everyone as they were.

Margie was preceded in death by her husband, Milfred Winn, whom she simply called "Winn." Also preceding her were her father, Preston O'Neal, son-in-law, Mike Herbert, mother-in-law, Valeria Winn and best friend for life, cousin, Walter Edward Bishop.

Surviving are her daughter, Marcia Winn Herbert, granddaughter, Alison Herbert Hallett (Spencer), grandson John (Jack) Winn, of Kernersville, NC, great-grandchildren, Aidan and Cooper Hallett, son, Ronnie Winn (Sandra) and grandson, Patrick Winn (Pailin) of Bangkok. She was able to hold her infant great-grandson, Boonsong, who arrived from Thailand shortly before her passing, thus completing her journey and beginning his.

Donations may be made to Hospice of Greensboro, Authora Care Collective, 2504 Summit Ave., Greensboro, NC 27405, www.authoracare.org.