Joyce Winifred Watts Flickinger, 97, of McAlisterville, Pennsylvania departed this earthly life on June 20, 2020, and is now absent from the body and face to face with the Lord.

Winifred (or Winnie as she was known) was born March 15, 1923 in Fayette Township on a farm outside of McAlisterville. She was the daughter of Keemer Emil App Watts and Emily Rebecca (Carwell) Watts, both of whom preceded her in death. She married Russell N. Flickinger, Sr. on October 11, 1947 and they were married for 40 years. Russell preceded her in death in 1987.

Winnie is survived by three children: Emily J. White of Camp Hill, Pennsylvania.; Russell N. Flickinger Jr. of New Albany, Ohio, and his wife, Michele; and Susan A. Ray of Jupiter, Florida, and her husband, Patrick. She is also survived by three grandchildren: Justin R. Flickinger of Columbus, Ohio; Kristin N. Flickinger and her husband Scott Gerber of Dallas, Texas; and Elijah B. Flickinger of New Albany, Ohio. Winnie is also survived by many, many nieces and nephews from three generations.

She was preceded in death by five brothers, three sisters, one brother-in-law and four sisters-in-law: Wesley W. Watts; Harriett S. Watts; Margaret J. Watts Newcomer and husband Mark; Keemer A. Watts and wife Geneva; William R. Watts and wife Flo; Mary E. Watts; Clair H. “Ted” Watts and wife Audrey; and Lloyd C. Watts and wife Miriam. She was also preceded in death by her son-in-law, Gregory A. White.

Winnie graduated from Fayette High School in 1941. During World War II she stayed at home and assisted her mother with household chores and cooking for the large farm family. Shortly after the war ended, she met Russell Flickinger and they married in 1947. Winnie and Russell moved to Evansville, Indiana for a short time after Russell was called back into service for the Korean War. Except for that brief period, she spent her entire life in the McAlisterville area.

Winifred and Russell had three children whom they raised first on a farm just outside of McAlisterville, and later at a home located within McAlisterville. During the 1970’s, Winifred worked in the Fayette Elementary and East Juniata High School cafeterias, retiring in 1991. She remained in McAlisterville in the family home, always focused on family and enjoying her love for baking cookies and making candy.

She was active in the Ladies Auxiliary for the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Crawford-Brubaker Post in Mifflintown, being one of the founding members in the establishment of the Auxiliary. She was also active in establishing and assisting with a Junior Girls unit for the Auxiliary in the 1960’s and 1970’s. She was in charge of the Voice of Democracy program for the VFW Post for a number of years, and was a cook for the food stand operated by the VFW during the Juniata County Fair held at the Port Royal Fairgrounds.

In addition to her VFW activities, she also successfully worked for the establishment of kindergarten services for McAlisterville children, in the late 1950’s and throughout the 1960’s, first provided on a private basis and later provided through the school district. She also served as a den mother assistant for the Cub Scouts and Webelos in the 1960’s. She was a league bowler at the Juniata Bowling Lanes.

Because of the current coronavirus pandemic, services will be held at the Brown Funeral Homes, Inc., 111 Westfall St., McAlisterville, at the convenience of the family, with Winnie’s nephew, Pastor Edward A. Watts, officiating. Burial will be in the Lost Creek Presbyterian Cemetery.

Flowers are appreciated, and for those who so desire, memorial contributions may be made in Winnie’s name to the Geisinger Heath Foundation, directed to the benefit of the Geisinger Lewistown Hospital, Lewistown, Pennsylvania.

Online condolences and tributes may be shared at www.brownfuneralhomesinc.com.