Week of August 30, 2017
Emily Wood Coxe Winburn died at home in Savannah on August 22, surrounded by her adoring family after a long and wonderful life. She was born in Darlington, SC, on April 5, 1933, to Thomas Chatterton Coxe, Jr. and Emily Wood Badham (‘Pank’) Coxe. She was predeceased by the love of her life, William Alfred Winburn III, whom she married on February 25, 1956.
Emmy, as she was known to her friends and family, attended Saint Catherine’s School in Richmond, VA, and was graduated from Sweet Briar College in 1955. She also attended the Savannah College of Art and Design. In 1953, she was selected as the South Carolina representative for the annual Maid of Cotton pageant. Her participation was not her idea, nor to her liking. During the parade at the national competition in Memphis, where she was selected as the runner up, she leapt from the float in order to catch a flight to Washington, DC, where she had a scheduled job interview with the FBI. Although a career in law enforcement never materialized, her role in the beauty contest was the inspiration for a book written by her mother entitled, Mother of the Maid.
Emmy moved to Savannah after her marriage and embraced the city, as it did her. Throughout the years, she participated in a variety of social and volunteer activities and organizations such as the American Red Cross, the Junior League of Savannah, the Chatham Club, the Married Women’s Card Club, and the Colonial Dames. She also delighted in her involvement with the Trustees Garden Club, and she sat on the Board of Directors of the Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum. Emmy had a true passion for Savannah and was a great supporter of the arts.
Emmy could light up a room with her lovely smile and her vivacious personality. She had an innate sense of style and an eye for everything beautiful. She was always very active and had a variety of interests. She owned The Horse’s Mouth, a ladies clothing boutique, followed by Trips Travel. In her spare time, Emmy was a voracious reader; she also enjoyed traveling, gardening, and Pilates. A true Francophile, she continued her study of French throughout her adult life. She was an art collector and enthusiast, working in oil painting as well as bronze sculpture. Emmy cherished her family and friends, weekends on the river in Bluffton and Beaufort as well as her family gatherings at Skufful Farm in Mont Clare, South Carolina. Emmy also loved to dance; it was simply a joy to watch Emmy and her husband Billy skip the night away at parties.
Emmy is survived by her three children: William Alfred Winburn IV of Alexandria, VA, Emily Wood Winburn Bowron (Bill) of Birmingham, AL, and Thomas Coxe Winburn (Mary) of Beaufort, SC. She leaves six grandchildren, Emily Wood Bowron, William Alfred Bowron III (Caitlin), Thomas Mills Winburn, William Alfred Winburn V, Thomas Coxe Winburn, Jr., and Robert Badham Winburn. She is survived by her four siblings, Thomas Chatterton Coxe III (Mary Marshall), Richard Badham Coxe of Darlington, SC, Vicky Commander (Charlie) of Jacksonville, FL, and Patricia Ware of Richmond, VA, as well as many nieces and nephews and great nieces and great nephews. She also leaves her two beloved Yorkshire terriers, “Millie” and “Ticket” and an abundance of orchids and bonsai trees.
Her family wishes to express their appreciation to her caregivers: Pamela Elmore, Monika Deitch, Patricia Williams, and Teresa Foster, as well as Elizabeth Watkins, Kim Haywood, William Burrus and those who helped her on a regular basis, bringing joy to her life.
A graveside service was held at Bonaventure Cemetery in Savannah on Saturday, August 26th at 10 a.m. followed by a celebration of her life in the house she held so dear.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum, 41 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Savannah, GA 31401.
Please share your thoughts about Emmy and her life at www.gamblefuneralservice.com.
Gamble Funeral Service of Savannah is in charge of arrangements.
