Winston F. "Winkie" Laurence

Winston F. “Winkie” Laurence, 90, of Moore, a longtime resident of South Portland, Maine, went home to be with his Savior on June 6, 2016 following a long illness. He was born in Clearwater, FL, on October 30, 1925, the tenth of eleven children born to Frederick R. and Mary Geiger Laurence. Winston attended Largo schools, and was drafted into the US Navy in 1944. While on shore leave in Portland, Maine at the end of World War II, he met Mildred ‘Jeanne’ Marsh. After a brief courtship, they were married on October 11, 1945 in Portland, where the couple settled following Winston’s discharge from the Navy. The family moved to South Portland in 1963. Winston was employed by A&P Supermarkets for many years, working in several Portland locations. In 1951, he helped establish the Greater Portland Church of Christ in South Portland, and occasionally worked as the congregation’s minister. In 1979, he became certified as a Geriatric Nurses Aide, then went to work at Saint Joseph’s Manor in Portland. From 1979-1981, he held all three positions simultaneously. In 1981, Winston left A&P and worked at Saint Joseph’s until his retirement in 1990. A devout Christian, Winston loved Gospel singing. He was blessed with a distinctive bass voice which was loved by all who sang with him. Winston was also an avid gardener, loved to travel, and enjoyed supporting his children in their endeavors. Upon retiring, Winston moved to Oklahoma to escape New England winters, and to watch his grandchildren grow up. His first wife, Jeanne, passed away in 2002. After that, Winston met Margaret McFarland Robison at a Gospel singing, and they were married on July 12, 2003. Later, Winston served as an elder and shepherd with the Oakcrest Church of Christ in Oklahoma City. In addition to Margaret, Winston is survived by two sons, Mark and David, both of Midwest City, OK; a sister, Mary McDonald of Rincon, GA; two grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. Also surviving are Margaret’s five children: Rance Robison Jr. of Springdale, AR; Diane Robison of Tulsa, OK; Charlotte Robison Hill and Randall Robison, both of Oklahoma City; and Ray Robison of Moore, OK; along with Margaret’s eleven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Besides his first wife, Winston was preceded in death by a third son, Paul, in 1995. A celebration of Winston’s life, including a Gospel singing, will be held Saturday, June 11 at 11 AM, at Oakcrest Church of Christ, 1111 SW 89th Street, Oklahoma City. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Winston F. "Winkie" Laurence please visit our Sympathy Store.