Elizabeth Ruth Winters was born February 3, 1930 in Detroit, Michigan and passed into the arms of Jesus on Saturday, July 10, 2010 after 80 years of life here on earth.
Elizabeth leaves behind her older sister, Virginia Cummins and two sons: Daniel Southern of Dallas Texas, and Philip Schmunk of Venice, Florida; both in full-time Christian ministry. She also leaves behind 2 daughters-in-Law; Lori Southern and Donna Schmunk; 4 Grandchildren; Adam Southern; Tyler Southern; Philip A. Schmunk; and Jennie Harris; and 3 great grandchildren; Isabelle Harris; Oliver Harris; and Eero Schmunk. Other family members include; Larissa Theule; Jesse Harris; Niece Judy Huber; Nephew Nathan Cummins and all those who loved her.
Elizabeth had been married twice; first to Robert Frank Schmunk MD and then to Lewis A. Winters; both preceded her in death.
Elizabeth often accompanied her first husband on hunting and fishing trips to exotic places. In her younger years she visited Canada, the Bahamas and even Europe, but she preferred to stay close to home with family and friends. Elizabeth had resided in Michigan most of her life and then retired to Tennessee. Most recently she had taken up residence in DeLand, FL to be closer to her family.
One of her greatest joys was music and she had taught piano and voice for many years both as a source of income and a very important ministry. Elizabeth was a graduate of the Detroit Institute of Art and served as church pianist and/or choir director in various churches throughout the years. She had a strong soprano voice and loved to sing. Her audience and all her students loved her and she loved them.
Elizabeth was an outgoing and friendly person who never met a stranger. Her warm smile and encouraging relationships with those around her brought her the love and support of many friends. She began each day in the Word and fellowship with God in prayer.
Beginning in 2004 and until this year, Elizabeth invested the majority of her time in caring for her older sister Virginia. Elizabeth purposefully sought opportunities to talk to others about her faith in Christ. She often spent time praying for the ministries of her children, her family, missionaries and the needs of the people of God. Elizabeth was a generous contributor of her limited resources to outreach ministries for Christ. She loved to give.
Elizabeth had hoped that Christ’s return to earth would precede her death and she often liked to say, “I’m not looking for the undertaker, but the upper-taker.” She looked forward to a marvelous reunion with many family members and friends who had preceded her to Heaven in death. It was not in God’s plan to preserve Elizabeth until the Rapture, but she has now joined the heavenly chorus and awaits the rest of her family for a grand reunion sometime soon.
A memorial Service will be held this Friday, July 16th, in the First Baptist Church of DeLand’s Memorial Chapel and be led by her two sons. Visitors and well-wishers are welcome to join us in celebration of Elizabeth’s amazing life.
"Now all we can see of God is like a cloudy picture in a mirror. Later we will see him face to face. We don't know everything, but then we will, just as God completely understands us." 1 Corinthians 13:12
