Funeral services for Winnie Lou Stewart Tench, 84, of Clarkesville, were held Sunday, Oct. 9, at Hillside Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Milton Martin Jr. and the Rev. Tim Tanner officiating. Interment followed in Habersham Cemetery with the Rev. Anthony Shore officiating at the graveside.
Mrs. Tench went home to be with the Lord Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022, following an extended illness.
Born Dec. 11, 1937, in Clarkesville, she was a daughter of the late Virgil and Effie Mae Wheeler Stewart. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Henry Burgess "Bert" Tench; grandson, Stuart Tench; sisters, Deborah Stewart, Louise Patterson, and Geneva Ivester; brothers, LeeRoy Stewart, Doug Stewart, Billy Stewart, Bobby Stewart, Buddy Stewart, Johnny Stewart, Herbert Stewart, and Herman Stewart.
Winnie Lou worked for Lumite and then for Piedmont Automotive for many years. She also took care of many children in her home over the years and kept close contact with them after they were grown. In her spare time, Winnie Lou loved flowers, listening to good Southern Gospel Music, and watching Old Western movies. Most of all, she loved spending precious time with her family and was affectionately known to many as "Ma Lou."
Survivors include her children, Michael and Debbie Tench of Gainesville, Marty Tench of Cleveland, and Heather and Derek Smith of Gainesville; grandchildren, Jessica and Aubrey Keller of Gainesville, Jordan Tench of Bowersville, and Nick Smith, Katie Smith, Zach Smith, and Kyndal Smith, all of Gainesville; great-grandsons, Ames Keller, Briggs Keller, and Huxton Keller, all of Gainesville; sister, Betty Sue Terry of Cornelia; brothers and sisters-in-law, Ray and Willene Stewart of Mount Airy, and Jimmy and Jeanell Stewart of Demorest; many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and a host of friends.
Flowers are accepted or the family requests that donations be made to Clarkesville Church of God, c/o Jim Skeen, Treasurer, P.O. Box 322, Clarkesville, GA. 30523
An online guest registry is available for the Tench family at HillsideMemorialChapel.com.
Arrangements are in the care and professional direction of Hillside Memorial Chapel & Gardens of Clarkesville.