Lorenza Winslett (known to most as Lorenzo) was born in Tatums, Oklahoma on August 17, 1928 to Aron and Essie Winslett.  Lorenzo was the second of ten children and accepted Christ. He completed primary and secondary education in Tatums, Oklahoma.

 

Lorenzo was inducted into the United States Army on November 7, 1950 as a Private and received a grade change on October 6, 1951 to become Sergeant (T) Lorenza Winslett.  During his service to the United States Army, he received two highly esteemed awards for being a phenomenal soldier:   

Purple Heart - for being wounded in war and,
National Defense Service Medal - for serving In the Armed Forces during the Korean war

 

Upon honorable discharge from the military on August 12, 1952, he also received the Korean Service Medal, with two Bronze Service Stars, and the Army Good Conduct Medal.                                                           

                                                                                                               

Lorenzo met Marquetta Harris, of Tyler Texas, while she was traveling to work in Oklahoma as a teacher.            

Their subsequent marriage blessed them with two daughters, Sonia D. Winslett, M.D., and Cheryl Winslett Wells.

 

Despite limited employment due to war injuries, Lorenzo worked as a driver until he retired.  Lorenzo loved sports and it was normal to enter his home and observe him listening to a radio while simultaneously watching two televisions broadcasting different sports games and reading the newspaper sports section.  It was not unusual for him to answer the phone and say, “I’m watching the ballgame” which probably meant that he did not have time to talk.  His favorite team was the Los Angeles Dodgers and he watched them on television until his last days.

 

Lorenzo followed the instruction of Proverbs 23:22 (which is a scripture he wrote on a piece of paper in his Bible) and was dedicated to caring for his mother, with the assistance of his brother Vernon, until her death at 104 years young.

 

Due to health issues, Lorenzo moved from his Orange Drive home of decades briefly to Windsor Gardens.  He then moved permanently to a CalVet home where he rarely missed a meal with his dining buddies and was attended to by a caring staff who would state, “We love Mr. Winslett”.  Lorenzo was known as a “tough dude” while hospitalized for the last five months of his life and, like a soldier, fought until his mission was complete.

 

Lorenzo was preceded in death by: father, Aron Winslett; mother, Essie Mitchell Winslett; brothers,

Earl Aaron Winslett, Willie Winslett, Sr., Holston Winslett, Andrew Winslett and Vernon Winslett;

sisters, Agnes Snowden and Zelma Winslett; grandson, Kiashuah J.E. Kirkwood; in-laws, Mardell Winslett,

Robert Johnson and Everett Snowden; and other relatives.

 

Lorenzo is survived by: ex-wife, Marquetta H. Winslett; daughters Sonia D. Winslett, M.D. and Cheryl Winslett Kirkwood Wells of Indiana; granddaughters, Kanesha J. Kirkwood and Kyesha J. Kirkwood of Gary, Indiana;

sister, Fayeoma Johnson of Tracy, CA; brother, Wadris Winslett of Sacramento, CA; great-grandchildren Joshae, Marquese, Jazmin, Nyla, Zakia, Lawrence and Eniya; great-great granddaughter Ni’omi; nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.

 

For the outpouring of support during our bereavement, the Winslett family says thank you.