Jeanene Bailey Winfiele

Jeanene Bailey Winfiele, 93, of Luverne passed away on December 8, 2025. She was born January 3, 1932, in Crenshaw County, Alabama, south of Rutledge to Clant and Annie Scoggins Bailey. Growing up on the Bailey Brothers' Farm, Jeanene was surrounded by her extended family, whose homes and farms lined the Rutledge Loop. She was the eleventh of twelve surviving children, out of thirteen. She attended school in Rutledge and later attended Luverne High School graduating in 1949. While in school she played basketball, was head cheerleader, and homecoming queen. As a child she remembered picking cotton and meeting Hank Williams Sr., as he visited and played concerts at the family's cotton gin in Rutledge.

Jeanene was a studious young woman and graduated from St. Margaret's Hospital School of Nursing in 1954. Upon graduating, she briefly worked at a hospital in Winder, GA. After a while she felt led to return home to Luverne where she worked at Kendrick Hospital. In 1955 she moved to Houma, LA and worked at Terrebonne General Hospital. While living in Louisiana she met Herbert Julian Winfiele, whom she married on August 8, 1956. November of 1956, they moved to Houston, TX where she worked for Dr. Haas until she had children. It was in 1963 that her twin sons, David and Brian were born, and she became a stay-at-home mom, the most rewarding job she ever had. Her third son, Jonathan (Jon) was born in 1968, completing the family. She was a very loving, caring and supportive mother and played an active role in her son's lives as they grew up. In 1986, when her youngest son left for college, she went back to work as a labor and delivery nurse manager at Jefferson Davis Hospital in Houston. She was passionate not only about the health of newborns, but also about supporting the start of new families. In 1989, as Jefferson Davis was being closed, she oversaw the relocation of the birthing center to the newly built Lyndon Baines Johnson (LBJ) General Hospital, ensuring that she, along with other nurses, could make a lasting impact on the lives of generations to come. LBJ became the busiest birthing center in the nation and Jeanene was recognized for her dedicated service and later retired in January of 2000.

While Jeanene's first joy in life was becoming a mother, her second was becoming a grandmother. Her first grandchild, Jonathan, was born in 1996 to Jon and Monique, and her granddaughter, Marcella, followed soon after in 1999. She loved being a part of their lives, from their first words to their Master's degrees and beyond. She always cherished the time spent with them, whether it be on a trip to Houston or during one of their many visits to her home in Alabama, as family was truly important to her.

Jeanene and Herbert enjoyed an active retirement, with Jeanene deeply involved in her community. She was a dedicated member of Rutledge Methodist Church and served as Past Worthy Matron (1977-1978) of the Houston-Ransford Chapter #135, Order of the Eastern Star. Jeanene was also part of the Klein Chapter # 1141 Order of the Eastern Star and the Heritage Trails Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution in Spring, Texas.

After Herbert passed away, Jeanene decided to move back home to Luverne with her faithful dog Bama, while also helping sponsor the Bailey family reunion every summer.

She is preceded by her parent's Clant and Annie Scoggins Bailey, brothers Felix, Cecil, Houston, Marion, Bill, Joe, Bibb and Buddy, sisters Maurine, Betty and Claudine. Survived by sons David, Brian, Jon & wife Monique, grandchildren Jonathan and Marcella.

Funeral Service Information

Date: Thursday, December 11th, 2025

Location: Rutledge Methodist Church

Schedule:

• Public Viewing: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

• Service: 11:00 AM - 12:15 PM

• Graveside Service: Following the service at Rutledge Cemetery

• Reception: After graveside service at Rutledge Community Center

Flowers:

• Turner's Funeral Home: (334) 335-5891 (Luverne)

• Flowers by Michelle: (334) 335-2200 (Luverne)

Charitable Donations:

For those who wish to make a charitable donation in memory of Jeanene Bailey Winfiele, the family suggests:

St. Jude's Children's Hospital

o https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.htm

Shriners Children's Hospital

o https://donate.shrinerschildrens.org/give/716725/#!/donation/checkout?c_src=shrinerschildrens&c_src2=ways-to-give

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