Winfred O'Neil Browder

Winfred O'Neil Browder , age 82, of Selmer died on Sunday, February 14, 2010 at McNairy Regional Hospital. Services will be 1:00 PM, Wed. Feb. 17, 2010 at Shackelford Funeral Directors of Selmer with the Rev. Jeff Powell officiating. Interment will be in Falcon Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Dustin Browder, Tyler Stanley, Jake Dunaway, Ralph Eldon Dunaway, Mark Browder and William King. Born Feb. 13, 1928 in Jefferson County, Alabama, Mr. Browder joined the National Guard in 1952. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lt. in 1953. By 1962 he had risen to Captain serving as Company Commander in Selmer. In 1965 he transferred to the Henderson unit. In 1969 he was promoted to Major. In 1973 he went into the active National Guard and left service in 1976. Winfred also worked for 16 years for Pickwick Electric Cooperative. He also served in the McNairy County Sheriff's Department fromn 1970 to 1972. He then served as Chief of Police for the Selmer Police Department from 1973 to 1977. In 1984 he returned to the police department for another six years until he retired. He also drove a school bus for the McNairy County School System. He later worked at the McNairy County Court House in the Office of Veteran's Affairs as the Veteran Service Office and Safety Director. Winfred became a Master Mason at Selmer Lodge #743 F & AM in 1972. He eventually rose to the rank of Commander of 36 Nights Templar in York Rite Masonry. He along with his wife, Alice, was also active in the Order of the Eastern Star. He was a member of Al Chymia Shrine Temple. Winfred married Alice Mae Dunaway on June 19, 1946. They were members of New Bethel Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He became an Elder in the church in September of 1950 and served as clerk from 1959 to 1967. Winfred is preceded in death by his parents William Franklin Browder and Esther Bell Sanders Browder as well as his son Winfred Michael "Mike" Browder. Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Alice, of Selmer; one son, Roger David Browder of Selmer; five grandchildren, James Kevin and Amy Jo, both of Selmer, Scott David and Thomas Paul, both of North Pole, Alaska, and Alicia and Marie of North Port, Washington; eight great-grandchildren. Also survived by three sisters, Nancy Jones of Corinth, MS, Faye McCormick and Mae Martin, both of Selmer; two brothers, Billy Browder and John Browder, both of Selmer. Other than his parents and son, Mr. Browder was also preceded in death by siblings Mary Sue Browder, JoAnn Newman, Horace Browder, and Richard Browder.