Obituary
Guest Book
1933
2017
Winifred Ann Goode McGruder, age 84, a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 22, 2017 in Cartersville, Georgia. Winnie was born on January 6, 1933 in Richmond, Virginia to the late William Anthony Goode and Winifred Alberta Whitlock Goode. She was preceded in death by her two brothers, Jack Goode and Joseph Goode.
Winnie married her husband, Beverly McGruder on Valentine’s Day 1953 and their great love carried them around the world and through the years. Winnie and Bev were blessed with five children and as the wife of a military officer, Winnie moved often. Strapping an ironing board and high chair to the top of the family station wagon, she created family homes in Pennsylvania, Texas, California, Virginia, Tennessee, Kansas and Georgia. Her adventures included traveling alone with two toddlers and a new baby by ship to assignment in Germany and experiencing the culture of Asia in Korea fifteen years later. She often shared that supporting her children and husband through his two tours in Vietnam was her most difficult time.
As her children grew, she returned to the workforce working in Personnel and Logistics for the Army Material Command in Washington, DC, Korea and Ft. MacPherson, Georgia. She also worked for the Armed Forces Network in Rosslyn, Virginia and loved to share the story of the time she answered the phone to find the famous aviator Charles Lindbergh on the other end. Upon her husband’s retirement from the U.S. Army in 1983, she moved with him to their retirement home on the Florida coast. She enjoyed working for the U.S. Navy Dive School there for several years before finally retiring. She spent 20 years in Panama City Beach enjoying church and community activities, opening her arms to hug her 8 grandchildren when they came to visit, spending time with good friends and enjoying the Florida sunshine and everyday life with Bev.
In 2002, she moved with her husband to Cartersville, Georgia to be near their daughter. Just as with every new move in her life, she made Cartersville her home and was an active member of the local community joining the Cartersville Women’s Club, Senior Shenanigans, American Legion Auxiliary and serving as a Board Member for the Cartersville Church Shop. She especially loved her church community and serving as a member of the Altar Guild at the Church of the Ascension Episcopal Church.
Winnie is survived by her husband of 64 years, Beverly L. McGruder (Col, U.S. Army Retired) of Cartersville, Georgia; daughter Winnie (Ken) Garner of Rydal, Georgia, sons Mark (Terri) McGruder of Panama City, Florida, Richard (Dawn) McGruder of Fairfax, Virginia, William McGruder of Beijing, China, Scott (Kathy) McGruder or Bartlett, Tennessee; eight grandchildren: Melanie (Stacey) Adams, Brian (Jennifer) Holladay, Tinsley McGruder, Richard (Victoria) McGruder, Amanda (Ben) Franceschi , Michael McGruder, Alexandria McGruder and Savannah McGruder; and two great-grandchildren: Annaston and Grant Adams.
A Celebration of Winnie’s life will be conducted on Wednesday, April 26, 2017, at 11:00am at the Church of the Ascension, Cartersville with the Rev. Mary Erickson presiding. The family will receive visitors at a reception following the service in the church hall. Interment will take place at 2:30pm at the Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, Georgia. The family specifically requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to support Winnie’s favorite charities: The Church of the Ascension Building Fund and the Etowah Valley Humane Society.
Please visit www.owenfunerals.com to post tributes and sign the on-line register.
Owen Funeral Home, 12 Collins Dr., Cartersville, GA 30120 has charge of the arrangements.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by Owen Funeral Home.
5 Entries
April 28, 2017
Norman Hess
I was shocked to read about Winnie's passing online. Her and the Colonel were always kind to everyone that knew them. I know I will miss her as well as my Mom. Sorry for your loss Bev and family.
April 27, 2017
Mr. & Mrs. Al Calsetta
Bev, Al and I are so sorry we did not learn of Winnie's passing until late afternoon yesterday; however, we are happy we saw you two recently at CMS in the Radiology department! I know you are aware of how much Al & I loved Winnie! We were so sad when you two were no longer able to be part of the Senior Shenanigans! We missed her wit and her love for all of us! Please know our hearts are broken with yours. Never to the same degree yours is after all we have known the two of you for several years but not a lifetime. We love you, Bev! Wish we could make life more upbeat for you on down the road. You are in our prayers, sweet man!
April 25, 2017
Deena Pate
Mark, Terri and Tinsley prayers are with you for the loss of your adventureous Winnie. Reading about her extraordinary life and adventures makes me realize where you all get your sense of travel and wanderlust from. She gave you a wonderful example to follow of a life well lived.
April 25, 2017
Arlene Whybark
So sad to learn of my dear little Winnie. I miss seeing her at the Church Shop for so many years. Am truly grateful that the last time we saw each other....we hugged the stuffings out of each other......will miss her always.......a great lady.
Love and sympathy to the family.
Arlene Whybark, Church Shop manager.
April 24, 2017
Charles Restivo
Rich & Dawn,
My deepest sympathy to all of your family on your lost. Winnie is a wonderful lady . I feel very blessed I was able to know her and be part of your family. My prayers are with you.
Love,
Charles, Kristina, Nikki, Katie, & Joey
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