Winters Funeral Home | Kosciusko, MS

Obituary For Martha Mae Ashford-Winters

Martha May Ashford Winters loved her family and her community. The Attala County native was blessed to live 95 years. She dedicated herself to raising a family, supporting her husband's civil rights work and educating and mentoring the hundreds of children she encountered through the Head Start program.

Mrs. Winters was born on January 7, 1929, to Roosevelt and Annie Mae Cone Black. As a teenager, she along with her widowed mother and brother moved to Kosciusko where she met Otha B. “Jab” Ashford and joined what is now Wesley United Methodist Church. She and Mr. Ashford married January 6, 1948, and were blessed with five children, who they raised at Wesley and shepherd to their own families and careers.

A housekeeper in her early years, Mrs. Winters became a Head Start teacher, a career she loved. She retired when her mother became ill. She was a compassionate and patient caregiver for many family members and friends.

For her children, grandchildren and so many others, she will forever be the epitome of love, always encouraging and helping them celebrate and find their way through life's challenges. She taught all to lean on their faith in God and to love and take care of themselves and each other.

Martha Ashford Winters departed this world the evening of September 3, 2024.

It's not goodbye," she said. "It's I'll see you when I see you."

She is preceded in death by her husband, Otha B. Ashford and T.C. Winters, her eldest child: Otharetha “Polly” (Horace) Ashford-Mabry, her parents and brother, Jimmy Black. She is survived by four children, Melvin (Denise) Ashford, Cynthia Ashford (Todd) Cross, Kenneth (Ozie) Ashford, and Charlotte Ashford Hampton. She also leads to cherish her memories her grandchildren: LaRaye, Dionna, Mary, Bailee, Devin, Erica, Ashford, Taylor, Christopher, LaMarcus, Jennifer, Kimberly, Leotha, and Marshae. Mrs. Winters is also survived by a host of great grandchildren, nieces and nephews, extended family and friends, all of whom she cherished and loved as her own.

PLACE OF SERVICE: Wesley U.M. Methodist Church, Kosciusko, MS

DATE OF SERVICE: Monday 09/09/2024 at 11:00 a.m.

INTERMENT: City Cemetery, Kosciusko, MS

VIEWING: Saturday 09/07/2024 at 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Guest Book

We the family of Mrs. Martha Mae Ashford Winters would like to thank each of you for your calls, flowers, messages, and prayers of love and condolences! We would like to thank the staff of Gentiva Hospice for their compassionate care of our mother and grandmother! We would like to give a special thank you to Mrs. Verna Atterberry Hayes for her loving care over these few years of her life! ~The Family~

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My sincere condolences and prayers for the Ashford family! I remember Mrs. Martha's sweet spirit from when I was a child! Ruth (Patterson) Higgins

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Deepest sympathy family . We love ❤️ you from The late Ella Mae Lewis Gamble and The Late Mosella Fox families. Doris Fox Davis and family. May the God of all peace, give you peace, comfort and strengthen your hearts. 😇🙏🏾❤️

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Glory be to God. Sincere condolences, heartfelt sympathy, and everlasting to Rev Cross and her family. Mother's love, care, wisdom is special.

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Our sincerest sympathy.Keeping you and family in our prayers .We love you all. Jimmie and Carol Smith

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Condolences to the family of Mrs. Martha Mae Ashford-Winters from Ron Nixon

- Ron Nixon

Keeping your family in my thoughts and in my heart. With deepest sympathy, Trenace Ford

- Trenace V. Ford

The Prowell family - "A mother's love is eternal. Hold on to that infinite love and let it be your guiding light." "I will always cherish the wonderful memories I have with your mom ...

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Be comforted by your memories. Mothers never truly leave us. You need only look in your heart and she'll be there. So sad for your loss. Wishing you comfort and remembering the kind spirit ...

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The District 4 Office in Jackson, MS is sending love to all the family. May the peace of God be with the family during these trying times. Much Love!

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With our deepest sympathy, Rev. Paulette Buford-James and District 2 Clergy

- Pamela Simmons

Our deepest condolences to the family, you are in our prayers. Love, Delonda & Mark Williams

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My deepest condolences to the family.

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Our staff will continue to keep your family in our prayers. We thank you for allowing us to serve your family.

- Winters Funeral Home | Kosciusko, MS