Mamie Ester Winstead Weaver

Rocky MOUNT – Mamie Ester Winstead Weaver, age 98, a strong-hearted woman with a heart full of love, faith, and generosity, passed away on Saturday, August 22, 2026.  Born in Wilson County, NC on October 22, 1927, she was the daughter of the late John Callie Winstead and Mamie Edwards Winstead.  She was also preceded in death by her husband, George Thomas Weaver; her sisters, Pearl Lee Winstead Craft, Bessie Elizabeth Winstead Marshall, Addie Belle Winstead, and Christine Catherine Winstead Walker; and her brothers, Henry Callie Winstead and Graham Johnny Winstead.

Mamie Ester was married to the love of her life, George Thomas Weaver, for 56 years before his passing in 2003.  We can only imagine when she entered Heaven she was welcomed into his arms, who she had loved and missed for so many years. She was a woman who spent her life doing for others.  She always wanted to give you something rather than have it for herself – even down to her toilet paper and paper towels.  That was simply who she was!  If she had something you needed, she wanted you to have it.  Giving was a natural part of her.  Her greatest joy was seeing the people she loved taken care of. She loved the Lord with all her heart.  She dearly loved her Calvary Baptist Church family and friends, and faithfully served the Lord for many years as a Sunday School teacher.  Her faith was an important part of who she was, and even when she was no longer able to drive or attend church, her faith never wavered.  She continued to love and trust the Lord until the very end.

She was a fabulous cook, and her kitchen was often the heart of the family.  After church on Sundays, everyone looked forward to her cornbread and fried chicken for lunch.  She made the best seafoam candy, and at CHRISTmas she would spend hours in the kitchen making CHRISTmas goodies for others.  Cooking and giving went hand in hand for her.  The food she prepared was another way she showed people how much she loved them. She was a hard worker who loved being outdoors, sweeping her driveway and picking up pine combs.  In the summertime, early mornings before it got too hot, you could find her in someone’s butterbean or pea field.  Man, she sure knew how to pack a bushel basket!  She never shied away from hard work and took pride in doing things for HERSELF and the ones she loved.  She lived her life with strength, determination and a willingness to do for others.

A devoted and loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt, and dear friend to many, she will be deeply missed and never forgotten. More than anything she wanted nothing but the best for her two sons and her daughter. She is survived by her sons, Doug and Ricky Weaver (Gwen); and her daughter, Tammie Hicks (Bennie). She loved her five grandchildren dearly; Elizabeth Arnold (Rob), Elaine Henry (Kevin), Jennifer Pierce (Chad), Tyler Hicks (Scotty), and Brittany Bass (Matt).  Then there were her eight great grandchildren, Sean (Allison), Scott, Holly, Madison, Reagan, Hannah, Ryker, and Rhett; all who held an especially precious place in her heart.  They brought her a special kind of joy and the love she had from them will remain with them forever. She also leaves behind her bonus daughter Dawn Lascallette (Johnnie) and bonus granddaughter, Meredith Spencer (Kaleb), her special niece, Jackie Turner (Ray), who held a dear place in her heart; her dear friend Celeste, who was also very special to her; and her other nieces and nephews, who she cared for deeply.

At 98 years old, she leaves behind much more than a lifetime of memories.  She leaves a legacy of faith, generosity, hard work, family, good food, and unconditional love.  Her family will remember her not only for the things she did but for the kind of woman she was; a woman who loved the Lord, her family and spent her life giving to others. Her earthly work is finished, but her faith has carried her home.  We can take comfort in knowing the Lord she loved so dearly has welcomed her home and that she is once again with GT, the love of her life.  She will be deeply missed, forever loved. and lovingly remembered by all who had the blessing of knowing her.

A Funeral Service to celebrate Mamie Ester’s life will be held on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, at 2:00 PM in the Chapel of Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Ave., Rocky Mount, NC 27804 with Rev. Brandon Dees officiating.  Burial will follow the service at Rocky Mount Memorial Park. Visitation with the family will be held on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home and Cremation Services.

Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804.  You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com.