The Reverend Winfred T. Arthur, Jr., age 63, of Palestine, died Thursday, November 10, 2016 at home.
Service will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 19 at Dogwood Hill Baptist Church, 3400 N. Hwy 79, Palestine, with Willmott Pastor Michael Thompson officiating and words of comfort from Pastor Shaun Arthur of Melrose Ave SDA Church. Interment following service in Fort Houston Cemetery in Palestine. Repast following interment at Dogwood Hill Baptist Church.
Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m, Friday, Nov. 18 at Emanuel Funeral Home - Palestine Chapel, located at 1721 W. Oak Street, Palestine.
Winfred was born Jan. 22, 1953 in Houston. His parents were Mamie Jean Arthur and W. T. Arthur Sr. Winfred graduated from Neches High School in 1971. He was employed by the Union Pacific Railroad for 38 ½ years as a Carman. He was married to Annie Tutt-Arthur for 39 years and to this union five children were born.
He was preceded in death by grandmother Judie Bell Crawford, mother Mamie Jean Arthur, father, W. T. Arthur Sr., sister, Marie Johnson, brother, Cedell Arthur, son, Raylon Arthur, and grandson, Aiden Arthur.
Pastor Arthur was licensed and ordained to preach in 1977. From that year on he preached with power for the next 39 years. He was known as a Holy Ghost preacher. Pastor Arthur preached on the radio, in tents, and in large venues. There was no holding back. His ministry even stretched across various denominational lines. Some of his most dynamic sermons were titled with one word like “If” and “Stuff.” He loved to encourage everyone through his messages. He would say God told me to preach hope to the people and preach hope into the people. Some of the memorable lines from his sermons were “Hold on to God’s unchanging hand,” “Don’t throw in the towel,” “Reach beyond the break,” “When you come to the end of your rope tie a knot in it and keep on holding on,” and “When life throws you a lemon take it and make lemonade.” Pastor always said that he would be translated when Jesus comes but despite his faith in being translated he succumbed to death. Now he will be apart of the first resurrection when Jesus comes. As he always preached will be true; “Blessed and Holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection on such the second death has no power.”
Those left to cherish his memories;
Annie Arthur loving wife of 39 years; Children: two daughters, Andrea (Michael) Thompson and Phaedra Arthur; two sons, Shaun (Lauren) Arthur and Joshua (Brittany) Arthur; grandsons, Christopher, TreDarion, Javarus, Preston, Caleb; granddaughters, Hogan, ShunDrea, JaKaila, Audri, Caitlyn; four sisters, Dorothy (Michael) Harrell, Earline (Ralph) Bowens, Glenda Arthur and Anita (Jay) Bass; five brothers, Booker T. Arthur, W.T. “Buddy” Arthur , Marvin Arthur, Frankie (Bonita) Jackson and Curtis Arthur; special family pet, “Jacob”; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.