Dorothy (Batten) Winnies
Updated: Mar 5
February 11, 2023
Dorothy Batten Winnies, age 98 of Chadbourn, passed away in her home on Saturday, February 11, 2023.
Final rites will be held on Saturday, at 2:00 p.m. February 18, 2023, at the Chadbourn Baptist Church with Dr. David Vess officiating. The family will receive friends at the church from 1:00 to 1:45pm prior to the service. Interment will follow at the Chadbourn Memorial Cemetery, 6120 Chadbourn Hwy.
She was the daughter of the late Benjamin Franklin and Bertha Winnie Worrell Batten of Hallsboro. She was preceded in death by husband Francis Winnies, daughter and son-in-law Veneta and “Butch” Carter of High Point. Also preceding her in death were: son-in-law Richard Skinner of Dublin, sister Louise B. Crawford and husband Frank of Cary, and brother Gordon Batten and wife Ann of Whiteville.
She is survived by daughters, Pamela Skinner of Dublin, Marcia Tate (David) of Canton, Mary Hardin (Kevin) of Chadbourn, and son Vincent Winnies of Chadbourn. She is survived by eight grandchildren: Wendy Overton, Lisa Jelinek, David Carter, Frances Rigdon, Amy Williamson, Paul Skinner, James Hardin, Zachary Hardin, and seventeen great grandchildren.
A native of Hallsboro, she lived in Chadbourn for seventy-six years. In 1973, she was the first woman to vie for a seat on the Chadbourn Town Council stating that as a long-time resident, housewife, mother, and business woman, she felt she had a large stake in the town and planned to work for progress and growth. Although she did not succeed in her race against four men for one of the two seats available, she made history and paved the way for other women to become politically involved.
Dorothy was a graduate of Hallsboro High School, class of 1941, and the National School of Commerce in Charlotte. During WW II, she contributed to the war effort as an employee at an airplane factory. She worked for several years for the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service, the Chadbourn Tobacco Market and Blue Jeans Corporation. Her longest employment was with The News Reporter and the former Columbus County News, where she was The News/Times office manager and staff writer for 37 years, retiring at age 80. She was known for her recipe column “Dorothy’s Delights” and her Chadbourn Personals column that her readers often commented on looking forward to.
She was an active member of Chadbourn Baptist Church, as a Sunday School teacher, Training Union teacher, member of the WMU, historical committee, and social committee. She served for several years as President of the Chadbourn Business and Professional Women’s Club, was recognized as a district representative, and was voted Club Woman of the Year. She was an active member of the Chadbourn Extension club, Chadbourn Chamber of Commerce, a member and secretary of the Strawberry Festival Association, and a member of the NC Press Women’s Association. She received recognition for Outstanding Service to the Community as a volunteer with the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program. She and her husband Francis, served children as 4H leaders in Chadbourn.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Community Hospice at 301 Liberty Street, Suite 200, Whiteville, N.C., 28472 or to Chadbourn Baptist Church at 504, N Howard Street, Chadbourn, N.C. 28431, or to the charity of your choice.
The family asks that you consider wearing a mask in the church.