Mitchell "Mitch" Jay Winstead

“How Do You Live Your Dash”...that poem touched Mitch deeply and he lived his dash well. The youngest of Leaston and Mae Mercer Winstead’s eight children, he grew up working in the tobacco fields of Elm City as well as in the family store. His siblings, Derwood (Edna) Winstead, Patsy (Glenn) Stone and Bonnie White loved him deeply. There is peace in knowing he is reunited with his parents, and siblings Beck, Herman, Horace, and Val. 

Growing up with his favorite dog, Joe, Mitch developed a love of fishing and hunting, which continued with him throughout his adult life. Spending days on the water always put a smile on his face. When not fishing, Mitch’s love of airplanes motivated him to earn his pilot’s license. In 2014, he decided to abandon the plane and go skydiving to celebrate his 60th birthday.

 Upon graduating from Elm City High School in 1972, Mitch attended Atlantic Christian College and became a math teacher with Wilson County Schools, the majority of which was spent teaching 8th graders at Coon and Forest Hills Middle Schools. Mitch also served with Wilson Rescue Squad and Elm City Emergency Medical Services as a volunteer firefighter and EMT. After retiring and hanging up his stethoscope as an EMT, Mitch served his church, Elm City Methodist with the CHEW Ministry as well as assisting with the Methodist Men’s group. 

Mitch’s greatest legacy was born in 1989. He and Anne Galloway Johnson gave birth to sweet baby Layne. His world revolved around his little girl. She never failed to make her daddy proud. He “unwillingly” gave her away in 2019 when she married the second love of her life, Alex VanLieshout.

 In 1997, Mitch met me…Janet. We married in 1999 and have cherished our 25 years together. Being two math teachers, our home was full of “nerdy” enjoyment, laughter, and love. Many know Mitch was an avid singer / songwriter aficionado and as such, we enjoyed many concerts together. Over the years, we have shared our home with many furbabies. Buddy, Lola, Brendy, and Boo will all miss his lap. My parents, Gerald and Comilla Jomp, and I will miss Mitch more than words can express.

 Mitch will be remembered for his strong yet gentle nature, empathy, kindness, generosity, for how deeply he loved us, and for his love for the Lord. His physical absence will be felt by his family, friends, and the communities of Elm City/Wilson, but we know his spirit will live on forever in the many lives he’s impacted in his 70 years.

 Mitch’s final days were spent being surrounded by family and friends as well as some of his favorite music. He took his final breath wrapped in mine and Layne’s embrace. We ask that you honor his memory by living your dash volunteering in your community in some way or by making a donation to a charity of your choice. If you want to offer something more personal to his heart, then please donate to Hospice of Wilson, 1901 Tarboro St., Suite 302, Wilson, NC, 27893 or Elm City Methodist Church, PO Box 307, Elm City, NC, 27822. 

Please join us and Pastor Roy Hilburn on Sunday, November 24 at 3 PM at Elm City Methodist Church to celebrate Mitch’s life. Visitations will occur before and after the service. If you join us prior to the service, we will be in the fellowship hall from 1:30 PM - 2:45 PM. If you wish to visit with us after the service, dress casually, bring a chair, your favorite beverage and join us around the fire in our backyard to share stories of remembrance. A private graveside service will occur at a later date. Elm City will simply not be the same without Mitch.

 Condolences directed to Joyner’s Funeral Home and Crematory at www.joyners.net.