Benjamin Earl Winstead Jr., age 90, passed away Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013.

Born in Edgecombe County on May 31, 1922, he was the son of the late Benjamin Earl Winstead Sr. and Nelle Robbins Winstead. He is also preceded in death by his daughter, Alma Christine Winstead.

After attending NC State University, Ben served in the United States Army Signal Corps in the South Pacific. Upon returning to Rocky Mount he took over the family business. Rawls and Winstead Inc. was a NAPA auto parts distributor.

He leaves behind his wife of 68 years, Peggy Taylor Winstead; children, Benjamin Earl Winstead III and wife Pace, Ellen Winstead Amerson and husband Henry and Bibi Winstead Freer and husband Ron; grandchildren, Edwin Amerson, Kaki Winstead Ernst, Dan Amerson, Austin Freer; and great-grandchildren, Amelia Amerson, Henry Amerson, Eliza Amerson, Truman Ernst, Maley Ernst and Vivian Amerson.

The family will receive friends from 5-8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013 at Ben and Peggy’s home.  A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday morning at the Church of the Good Shepherd with Rev. Betty Glover officiating. Following the service, there will be a reception at the church.  Burial will be at Pineview Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Church of the Good Shepherd, 231 N. Church Street, Rocky Mount, N.C. 27804. Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler and Woodlief Funeral Home, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, N.C. 27804.  You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com/.