FAYETTEVILLE, Tennessee (BNc) — Funeral services for Winford Claiborne, age 88 of Fayetteville, will be conducted Friday at 10 a.m. at the West Fayetteville Church of Christ with Bro. Tom Holland officiating. Visitation with the family will be Thursday 5-8 p.m. at the church building. Bro Claiborne passed away Tuesday morning at his residence.
He was a native of Portland, TN, and the son of the late Marvin and Susie Dillahay Claiborne. In October 2002, brother Claiborne and his family suffered the loss of Molly, his wife of 53+ years.
As of February 2014, brother Claiborne had been preaching the gospel for 71 years. He was a graduate of both Freed-Hardeman College and Murray State University. His academic work also included graduate studies at Harding Graduate and University of Georgia.
While serving as a gospel preacher for numerous congregations, he’s had other experiences as well, including high school teacher, business owner and college professor. In the last 71 years he’s been the pulpit minister for congregations in Kentucky, Florida, Georgia and Tennessee.
After teaching at Freed-Hardeman for 14 years, he retired in 1993 and moved to Fayetteville where he began preaching full-time for the West Fayetteville congregation.
In August 1995, brother Claiborne took over the International Gospel Hour radio program. The operation of the International Gospel is under the direction of the Elders at the West Fayetteville Church of Christ.
Survivors include two sons, Doron (Kathee) Claiborne of Murfreesboro, TN and Danny (Gina) Claiborne of Murray, KY, grandchildren Hannah and Mark Claiborne, Wesley (Heather) Claiborne, brothers and sisters Edger Claiborne, Lucien (Ellen) Claiborne, Charlie (Paulette) Claiborne, Wilma (Irvin) Hill, Garvin (Beverly) Claiborne, and brother-in-law Chester Hill. He was preceded in death by brothers and sisters William, Eathel, Nadine, Raymond, Douglas and Laura. Funeral services will be conducted Friday at 10 a.m. at the West Fayetteville Church of Christ.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the International Gospel Hour or the Freed-Hardeman University Scholarship Fund.
There will also be a memorial service for Bro. Claiborne on Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Williams Chapel Church of Christ in Lynn Grove, KY. Burial will follow at 3 p.m. at the Lebanon Cemetery in Sedalia, KY.
Higgins Funeral Home is assisting the family of Brother Winford Claiborne.
Posted online by Jody L Apple
2014-11-18 at 6:19 pm
SUCH A GREAT GOSPEL PREACHER AND A VERY GOOD CHRISTIAN…MY SYMPATHY TO ALL THE FAMILY…I HAVE KNOWN LUCIEN FOR SEVERAL YEARS..HE IS ALSO A GREAT SERVANT OF GOD..
2014-11-18 at 11:13 pm
A great soldier of the cross has gone to his reward. God bless his family and comfort them as they say goodbye, all the while rejoicing in his completion of his journey.
2014-11-19 at 1:34 am
Another great hero is gone. May his soul rest in peace. Our sympathy go to the family. From your Brethren in Liberia
2014-11-20 at 3:28 pm
Such a fine Gospel Preacher.
2014-11-22 at 7:44 pm
It was a Joy to have known him. There is a great day coming. Love to his family.
2014-11-25 at 7:25 pm
Bro . Claiborne will be missed by so many . Such a good Man .