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, PO Box 118, Fayetteville, TN 37334 or the Freed-Hardeman University, Claiborne Scholarship Fund, Henderson, TN 38340.
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.
Winford Claiborne
Posted By Clinton_George On In Uncategorized | 15 Comments
15 Comments To "Winford Claiborne"
#1 Comment By Raymond and Vickey Setters On November 18, 2014 @ 10:47 pm
We met Brother Claiborne more than 50 years ago when he held a meeting in Memphis and we were privileged to have him stay in our home that week. Then a couple of years ago we were fortunate to meet him again when his brother, Garvin, began work at Bethel Church of Christ. He was an outstanding minister and we learned so much from him. He will be missed throughout the brotherhood. He touched so many lives that his memory will remain with us forever. To Garvin and his entire family we are saddened by his loss and extend our sympathy to all the family.
#2 Comment By Don Deffenbaugh On November 18, 2014 @ 11:10 pm
Thanks to Winford for his great service for the Lord.
#3 Comment By Lynn Burgess On November 19, 2014 @ 1:08 am
Another wonderful preacher has headed home. We will miss him but he has left behind a lot of lessons. Can’t wait to see him again in Paradise.
#4 Comment By Rod and Cindy Halliburton On November 19, 2014 @ 3:11 am
All of Brother Claiborne’s family will be in our prayers. We are so thankful for the work he has done over the years. I suppose it is impossible, as long as we are this side of heaven, to fully appreciate the influence he has had and lives he has touched.
#5 Comment By Charles Cochran On November 19, 2014 @ 3:17 am
A great and encouraging gospel preacher. His courage, conviction, and clarity in preaching the gospel impacted so many who were blessed to hear him. He will be deeply missed. Charles Cochran
#6 Comment By Ingrid On November 19, 2014 @ 3:22 pm
Brother Claiborne’s will be greatly missed our prayers are with the family
Dewey and Ingrid Mock
November 19, 2014 am
#7 Comment By Randy Neal On November 19, 2014 @ 3:25 pm
Brother Winford was truly a giant of a man in his knowledge of nearly every subject on the Bible. He excelled in biblical ethics and theology. I will always treasure the classes I had under him and still have some of his notes (photocopied) that he passed along to me. Prayers with his family, he is now reunited with Mrs. Molly and together they are at rest in the Lord!
#8 Comment By Dewey and Ingrid Mock On November 19, 2014 @ 3:25 pm
Brother Claiborne will be greatly missed
Our prayers are with the family.
#9 Comment By Jill and Jim Roark On November 19, 2014 @ 6:08 pm
We have known and had the pleasure of hearing Brother Claiborne preach the Gospel of Christ for over 25 years. His work in the pulpit of many churches and over the radio airwaves, on behalf of the International Gospel Hour, is known far and wide. Brother Claiborne never minced words about the ills of our society and how they have impacted America and moved millions of lost souls away from Christ. We are thankful for having known him and Molly and for having our children and grand children hear his sermons and lessons about life. Brother Claiborne will be missed, but his legacy for preaching the true Gospel of Christ will endure for generations to come. Our sympathy is extended to his entire family.
#10 Comment By Treva Lynn (Bonner)Sweeton On November 19, 2014 @ 8:08 pm
Windford and Our Dad R J Bonner were very good friends. Our Dad RJ Bonner and Windford have told many many awesome stories of when tthey were young when Windford lived with our grandparents and Dad in Niles Mi. I also have many awsome memories of talking to Windford on many various subjects at the dinner table. Winford was indeed a great man and will indeedv be missed. RIp Winford Clairborn
#11 Comment By Brian Kenyon On November 20, 2014 @ 3:42 am
The brotherhood (including me) will miss him. I had brother Claiborne for Topical Bible Studies the last semester he taught at Freed-Hardeman. He was a “scholar quoting, non-NIV toting instructor” (inside joke), the most well read man I ever, personally knew. I’ll never forget the time he toured a couple FHU students (including me) through his basement library. Literally, floor to ceiling stacks of books and shelves full of books everywhere, with a deliberate, neat path cut, like a canyon, through the stacks and carts of books that led from the entrance to his typewriter/desk and to his closet sized radio recording studio. What a great Christian man, preacher, and academia man of influence! Our prayers are with the family!
#12 Comment By Billy & Patsy Gray On November 20, 2014 @ 11:32 pm
Your family is in our thoughts and prayers.
Bro Claiborne has touched the lives of many a person.
He will be greatly missed.
#13 Comment By Ron, Marty, Cari & Abbi Leffew On November 21, 2014 @ 3:23 am
So very sorry for the loss of your father. He was such a great man & preacher of the gospel. He will be greatly missed. May he rest in peace and may his influence live forever! The Leffews Shallotte NC (formally of Warners Chapel church of Christ)
#14 Comment By Pat Davis (Lewisburg, Tn) On November 21, 2014 @ 2:05 pm
Meeting Brother Claiborne and his family was a very special few days in my life. It just reinforced my newly found belief. I am able to rejoice in knowing he may have left this life behind, only to begin an eternal Life with God. In my short stay with him I had a small glimpse into the love of his family and friends. My prayers go out to his family for comfort in their loss, but just remember he will be waiting for you . Love to you all.
#15 Comment By Vickey Setters On April 23, 2022 @ 8:04 am
During the 1950s Bro Claiborne conducted a meeting at Kimball Avenue in Memphis and stayed in our home that week. Years later he came to Bethel in Joelton where his brother, Garvin, is Family Alice minister we were happy to reunite with him. A great preacher of the gospel.