Helen Winningham

Helen Maxine Winningham, age 76, of Lamar, passed away Wednesday, March 04, 2009, at Landmark Hospital in Joplin following a long illness.        Helen was born October 15, 1932, in Barton County, to Fred and Lora (Bright) Rawlings.  A life-long area resident, Helen graduated from Lamar High School.  On July 2, 1955, in Jerico Springs, she married Earl Lee Winningham and he preceded her in death June 19, 1975.        Helen worked at Big Smith in Lamar for a few years and then devoted her life to being a homemaker and mother.  Helen was a member of Lamar United Methodist Church where she served as a part-time assistant secretary in the 1980s.        Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Norma & Elmer Osterdyk of Lamar; a son, Dale L. Winningham, Lamar; two brothers and their wives, Jerry & Lora Mae Rawlings, Kansas City, Missouri and Bill & Bonda Rawlings, Lamar; and a grandson, Brett Winningham.