Pauline Lucille “Rusty” Winger, age 83, of Sparta, Tennessee, was taken home to Heaven on Thursday, August 27, 2015 with her daughters holding her hands. She dedicated her life to family, friends, and God’s service.
She touched many families through her ministry as pastor’s wife for First Christian Church in Sparta, Tennessee for many years, as well as each church Brother Bob was lead to pastor. God blessed her with amazing creativity which she used for His service to the delight of everyone who met her. Her love for singing and her beautiful voice could be heard at home and in each church she worshipped in, as well as her daughter’s cars and possibly Kroger. J Her life ministry for several years included caring for children in her home. They were more than daycare kids to her, they and their families were her family.
Since 2007, she created by hand, from scratch, a monthly newsletter with a focus on God and just to share a smile and encouragement. She created and mailed the handmade newsletters, from a handful in the beginning to over 100 each month in the later years. She kept this tradition even after her hands made it difficult, and until God took her home.
All who knew her were impacted by her positive attitude, her love of life and her passion for the little things like her orchids, being outdoors and watching airplanes. Always laughing, never meeting a stranger, her contagious personality drew people in and through her happy spirit, God was shared and friendships were made.
Rusty Winger was born January 14, 1932 to Joe and Margaret Morris Humiston. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Terry Humiston and sister, Harriet Humiston Rentz.
Survivors include daughters, Louise Winger Webb (husband, Richard Webb) and Laura Winger, son, Curtis Winger (wife, Cheri Winger); step-sons, Warren Winger and Allan Winger (wife, Young Winger); grandchildren, Jared Caperton, Elizabeth Springfield (husband, Kurt Springfield), Ruth Caroselli (husband, John Caroselli), A.J. Winger and Eric Green; great-grandchildren, Nathaniel Sprague, Caroline Springfield and Robert Rees Springfield; brother, Jack Humiston and sister, Joan Humiston Sellers.
A Celebration of Rusty’s Life will be held Saturday, September 12, 2015 at 2:00pm at First Christian Church at 109 Gaines Street, in Sparta, TN. Family and Pastor Alec Cort will officiate. Friends may visit with the family one hour prior and one hour following her service at the church.
You are invited to share memories and leave condolences at www.NashvilleCremationCenter.com., (615) 678-4832
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Terri Beth Wilson Weaver
August 29, 2015 at 4:44 pm37 years ago God brought me into the Winger family…Laura and I have been friends since we were little girls of 10. Rusty and Bob were like second parents to me, and honestly to every kid that came into that house. I remember years of slumber parties, roller skating in the basement that she’d let us decorate with spray paint on the walls to our Shaun Cassidy records, crazy weekend breakfasts of cold pizza or noodles and butter if that was what we wanted, her positive spin on everything, a birthday party that fell on Friday the 13th and her telling us the “secret” that took the superstitious dread out of that day for the rest of my life…and always, always being loved and welcome. I tried to come home and see her when she got so sick but by the time I got to town that afternoon she had already fallen asleep, she did the a lot the last few days…so I talked to Laura on the phone instead. So my memories of Rusty will always be in that little parsonage where we all grew up…all her kids…the ones she gave birth to and the ones she welcomed into her family just because we where there. I will miss you “mom”! Hope you’re running all over heaven seeing everyone you’ve ever missed or wanted to meet. I’ll see you when I get there! Memory Eternal!
marie keller
August 29, 2015 at 5:03 pmwe are so very sorry about your mom,…she will be missed so much at church…. we will all miss her.
love Malvin & Marie
Diana Turner
August 29, 2015 at 5:12 pmSo sorry for your loss– Laura, Louise, and Curtis. Rusty was a precious individual. Prayers for the entire family.
Buddy & Patsy Phillips
August 29, 2015 at 6:37 pmA beautiful life and example. What an honor to have been raised by such a godly mother. God truly blessed her children.
Ruth Cary Cooper
August 30, 2015 at 8:57 pmMay God grant you peace and comfort during this time of grief.
It has been 25 years since I last spoke with Rusty, but her joyful countenance lingers with me. She was a special person who touched the lives of many. I am proud to be one she touched.
Amy Johnson
August 30, 2015 at 9:24 pmWhat a remarkable life. She was an amazing lady. How this world will miss her. Thanks to her children for sharing her…