Winesett, Cora Sue

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Cora Sue Winesett, known to those who loved her as “The Queen Mum,” began her best journey yet on Monday, August 16, 2021. Born in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains during the Great Depression, Sue learned to appreciate the advantages of education and the places that the love of reading could take her.

This passion led her to graduate from what is now Radford University with a degree in Education. Her long career in teaching spanned many different subjects and age groups of students, from high school home economics to third and fourth grades.

Retired and determined to experience life not simply through books, but with feet on the ground, Sue traveled to many places. From exploring the United Kingdom on a shoestring and driving through the western United States, to greeting sunrises in Hawaii and shadowing Jack London’s footsteps in Alaska, she put flesh to the bones of her reading.

During her working and early retirement years in Christiansburg, Va., and later in Williamsburg and Lanexa, Va., she enjoyed a variety of artistic hobbies. Sue loved oil painting, sewing, and quilting above all. As a quilting club member, she created many colorful quilts for family, friends and area charities. Sue was also active in the Virginia Retired Teachers Association.

The Queen Mum is survived by her daughter and favorite son-in-law, Deborah and Carlos Secrist; her brother and wife, John and Bonnie Winesett; step-grandchildren, Chris Burnette and wife, Danette, Shannon Macaulay and husband, David, and Shawn Secrist and wife, Rebecca; step great-grandchildren Cody, Hunter and Parker Stevens, Hayley and Collin Secrist; nephews, Mike and David Winesett, and their wives and children; step great great-grandchildren, and many loving friends.

Sue will be honored later this year in a private celebration with family and friends. Should any wish to show their appreciation for this lovely woman, the family asks that donations be made to their area public libraries. Libraries are where her journey started, and where it continues today. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.nelsenwilliamsburg.com.