Rev. Conrad "Connie" W. Winborn Jr.'s Obituary
Conrad W. Winborn, Jr., affectionately known as “Connie” was born on August 19, 1930, in Huntsville, Texas, to Conrad W. Winborn and Ruth Scott Winborn. He entered life eternal on February 18, 2024. A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, February 24, at First United Methodist Church Longview with visitation to follow in Cook Foyer.
Rev. Winborn received his public school education in Navasota, Texas, and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. He graduated from Sam Houston State University with a B.S. degree in economics after serving in the U.S. Air Force in the Korean conflict. He earned a Master of Theology degree from Southern Methodist University and was ordained Elder of the Methodist Church in 1957. He later was awarded a Doctor of Divinity degree from Wiley College.
During his 50 years of ministry, Rev. Winborn served ten appointments in Texas. These included the Cherokee Circuit in Jacksonville, the Quitman Circuit, Rehobeth Methodist Church in Carthage, Seabrook Methodist Church, First Methodist Bay City, First United Methodist Gladewater, First United Methodist Huntsville, Tyler District Superintendent, First United Methodist Church Longview, and Bryan District Superintendent.
He was active in Texas Conference youth and young adult work, serving as Director of Youth Work and Senior High District Camping and as a board member of John Sealy Medical School Ministry. He worked with Alcoholics Anonymous and helped create several local AA groups. He was a director of Happy Harbor Retirement Home and the Methodist Hospital in Baytown. He was organizing president of the racially inclusive Bay City Day Care Center for children of working mothers. While pastor in Bay City, he formed an ecumenical Inter-racial Committee to improve relations among the various ethnic members of the community.
Rev. Winborn was also a founding member of the Newgate Mission in Longview. He was chosen for “Who’s Who” among Methodist ministers during his pastorate at Seabrook for service to the NASA space community. He also served as president of the Ministerial Alliances in Seabrook, Bay City, Gladewater and Huntsville.
Rev. Winborn married the love of his life, Laura Cleveland, in 1955. She preceded him in death in 2017. They were blessed with 62 years of marriage, two daughters, two sons-in-law, four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Those left to cherish his memory are daughter Cindy Best and husband Shane of Memphis, Tenn.; daughter Patti Irons and husband Bill of Katy; grandchildren Michael Best, Andrew Best and wife Cara, Drew Irons and wife Christine, Hope Bernardi and husband Gio; sisters-in-law Clara Cleveland and Theresa Cleveland. He also was blessed with three great-grandchildren, Julian Best, Lucy Best, and Remi Bernardi.
A private family burial in Rosewood Park Cemetery will precede the service.
Memorial gifts may be made to Asbury House Child Enrichment Center or Newgate Mission.
What’s your fondest memory of Conrad "Connie"?
What’s a lesson you learned from Conrad "Connie"?
Share a story where Conrad "Connie"'s kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Conrad "Connie" you’ll never forget.
How did Conrad "Connie" make you smile?
