Thaddeus H. Winters

Thaddeus (Thad) H. Winters, 78, of Cave City went to be with the Lord on September 9, 2010.Thad was born on September 23, 1931 in Smithville, AR to W.L. and Flora Winters. He was valedictorian of Strawberry School in 1949. Although he had many careers over his lifetime, his love was gospel music. He has led music in many churches in Arkansas and was President of the Arkansas State Singing Convention from 1972-1974. With his passion in Southern Gospel music, he organized a quartet, The Gospel Echoes, in which he has sung in hundreds of churches in Arkansas and surrounding states for 50 years. During his early years, he was fortunate to sing with his dad and siblings and he ended his career singing alongside his daughter and son in law. He was married July 14, 1963 to Kay Matlock Winters, who was also pianist for the quartet for 48 years.Thad was preceded in death by his parents, W.L. Winters and Flora Cole Winters, two brothers, Wayning and Eugene Winters, son Greg Winters, and great granddaughter, Victoria Vargas. He is survived by his wife, Kay Matlock Winters of Cave City, daughters Katrina Farris (Jacob) of Cave City and Jean Ann Zepeda (Ed) of California, sister, Glenda Deeter (Henry) of Kennett, Missouri, and two grandchildren, Landon Farris and Jennifer Zepeda. He is also survived by many friends and family.Funeral services will begin Monday, September 13, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Cave City. Burial will follow in the Smithville Cemetery, located in Smithville, Arkansas with arrangement by Qualls Funeral Home of Cave City.Visitation will be Sunday, September 12, 2010 from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Cave City. Pallbearers are Ben Foley, Dan Foley, Dale Justice, Mac Justice, Terry Winters and Jerry Winters.Honorary pallbearers are Gene Neeley, Lewis Crane, Barry Farris, Lee Lawson, Wayne Winters, Mike Covey, Heston Matthews and Ancil Matthews.