Earthly Journey

Winnie Corethel Edwards Stringer was born in Ennis, Texas on January 24, 1918, and was the fourth child of Bessie Idonia (Hardman) and Harvey Edwards. She grew up in Waxahachie, Texas where she attended elementary and high school at Oak Lawn School. She married Marcellous Davis as a teenager in high school. To this union, three sons were born: Marcellous Davis, Jr., Harold Lee Davis and Joe Lewis Davis. The couple later divorced, and Winnie and her sons moved to Dallas, Texas.

While living in Dallas, Winnie met and married Willie Angle. This marriage was a blend of two families. Winnie brought her sons, while Willie had a son and daughter of his own. They lived in Fort Worth, Texas prior to relocating to Los Angeles, California. Willie worked for the Greyhound Bus Company. This marriage dissolved due to familial conflict. Winnie later married and divorced Richard Stringer while in Los Angeles.

Known as “Mother Stringer” to her community, she was recognized as a cherished elder in her congregation. Winnie united in fellowship with Walker Temple African Methodist Episcopal Church in Los Angeles in 1956. She served as a stewardess, deaconess, chaplain, church officer, and member of various choirs over several decades. She enjoyed singing and was a faithful member until her health began to fail. Winnie was a devout Christian and attributed her longevity to her faith.

Known as “Snookum” to her family, she was recognized as the cornerstone of the family’s legacy. Winnie was a proud independent woman. As of her 100th birthday, she was still driving herself to church. At 106, she was noted for her ability to still care and cook for herself. She was very finicky about her food. Winnie retired from the Los Angeles Unified School District as a cook at an elementary school. Winnie enjoyed cooking. She was a member of the Lending Hands Club and hosted dinners at her home. At 108, she still enjoyed shopping for shoes and clothing. She was always well-dressed and had an elegant style, from her clothes to her accessories. Additional coverage of her life can be found in the Los Angeles Sentinel newspaper, which has published multiple pieces detailing her contributions.

Sadly, Winnie departed this life on April 6, 2026, in Centinela Hospital Medical Center in Inglewood, California. She was preceded in death by her parents, Bessie and Harvey Edwards; brother, Harvey Jr. “Brother;” sisters, Earlene Cole and Erma “Baby Sister;” sons, Marcellous Davis, Jr., Harold Lee Davis and Joe Lewis Davis; niece, Dolores Jefferson of Inglewood; nephew, Willard Sweatt of Los Angeles; great nephews, Myron Sweatt and Richard Jefferson, Sr. of Compton, California; and great grandson, Dejuan Moffett.

Winnie leaves to cherish her memory: great nieces, Martha Jones of Inglewood and Dedra Williams of Dallas; great nephews, Robert (Alma) Jefferson of Needville, Texas, Kenneth (Anita) Jefferson of Pacoima, California; Damon Sweatt, Daryl Sweatt, and Willard Sweatt, Jr.; granddaughter, Constance (Willie, Jr.) Calloway of Hawthorne, California; great grandchildren, Lil Willie (Tonya) Calloway, III, Des’Tinie (Alfred) Borders, and Safiya Moffett; chosen daughter, Peggy Thomas of Los Angeles; and a host of relatives and friends.