Mr. Joseph "Dwight" Winburn Sr.

July 16, 1940 - September 13, 2020

CLAXTON: Joseph “Dwight” Winburn, Sr., 80, passed away September 13, 2020 at Ogeechee Area Hospice in Statesboro, Georgia. He was born in Claxton and lived most of his life in Evans County. He graduated from Gordon Military School, receiving his high school diploma in 1960 and junior college diploma in 1963. He served in the U.S. Navy and the Vietnam Conflict in 1967-68, receiving a bronze star with valor. Dwight was very successful in a variety of occupations including road construction, hot-dipped galvanizing, and commercial refrigeration. He enjoyed motorcycling, the Patriot Guard, camping, traveling and shooting guns. He loved his family and enjoyed spending time with them and friends. His brilliant smile and sense of humor will be missed by everyone who knew him. Dwight was preceded in death by his father, Joseph Knight Winburn, his mother, Ossie Kennedy Winburn English, Beverly Evans Winburn, two infant sons and a brother, Hugh English. SURVIVORS: wife, Donna Winburn of Claxton, Ga.; son, Joseph Winburn, Jr., (Christy) of Pooler, Ga.; daughter, Tara Smith (Ken) of Kingsland, Ga.; son, Shane Purcell (Holly) of Anderson, S.C.; sister, Winnie Jo Thomas of Chattanooga, TN; three brothers, Robert (Sandy) English or Johnson City, TN, John (Linda) English of Johnson City, TN and Ben (Teresa) English of Greenville, TN; seven grandchildren, Cassady(Barrett) Davidson, Will (Kelsie) Smith, Paul Jacob (Emerey) Smith, Connor Winburn, Noah Purcell, Owen Purcell and Luke Purcell; four great-grandchildren, Reece Davidson, Kacee Smith, Alizah Davidson, Hudson Smith, and several nieces and nephews. SOCIAL DISTANCING WILL BE OBSERVED DURING THE VISITATION AND CHAPEL SERVICE, DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. MASKS ARE REQUIRED DUE TO MILITARY HONORS. VISITATION: Wednesday, September 16, 2020, 12:30-2:00, at J. Mellie NeSmith Funeral Home. FUNERAL: Wednesday, September 16, 2020, 2:00 p.m., at J. Mellie NeSmith Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Ken Smith officiating. BURIAL: Georgia Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Glennville, Georgia. PALLBEARERS: Joe Neville, Benny Gilbreth, Gibby Barnes, Luther Royal, Will Smith and Paul Jacob Smith. REMEMBRANCE: in lieu of flowers please consider a donation to ninelinefoundation.org or Ogeechee Area Hospice, 200 Donehoo St., Statesboro, Ga., 30458. Mellie NeSmith Funeral Home in charge of arrangements “Our Family Serving Your Family” “Since 1917” (912) 739-3338 www.nesmithfuneralhome.com