Andrea Ruth Winrod, 16

Funeral services for Andrea Ruth Winrod, 16 years and 9 months, were held Dec. 7, 2024, at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Mountain Home, Arkansas. A committal service followed, as well as a public celebration of life ceremony, held at Gainesville High School.

Andrea tragically lost her life in a car accident Tuesday evening, Dec. 3. She was born to parents Nathanael and Faith Winrod on Feb. 25, 2008, at Tecumseh, the third oldest of their children. 

A junior at Gainesville High School, Andrea was an excellent student and involved in many extracurricular activities, including FFA and FBLA. She had a wide range of friends and touched the lives of everyone she met with her energetic spirit and get-it-done attitude. Andrea aspired to have a career in the healthcare field after graduating high school in 2026.

Throughout her life, Andrea was a daughter, a sister, a niece, a cousin, a granddaughter, a friend and an athlete. She particularly excelled as a basketball player and played the game with heart and passion. She often came home after a game and hashed out every detail with her older sister, Debra. This season, she and her sister Amie were enjoying playing together on the Lady Bulldogs team.

Andrea was known for her gorgeous smile, which could light up a room, as well as her contagious laugh. She spoke what was on her mind (always!) and she never gave up when she set her heart to something. After she tore her meniscus in her freshman year of basketball, Andrea refused to be done. She played the rest of the basketball season with her injury, despite the advice of almost everyone. She was determined to finish the season and refused to give up on her team or herself, although she often played in pain. 

Another example of her stubbornness was when she left a picnic table in a low spot in the yard after a team dinner. Shortly after the dinner, rain flooded the low spot. Her siblings were making fun of her, so she ran out in the cold and rain with only shorts and a shirt. She didn’t even have shoes on. She pulled the table out of the water all by herself, just to prove she could. Andrea was fierce and tough, and it showed in her life in many ways.

She was blessed with the most beautiful singing voice and also enjoyed playing guitar. She could really belt out a tune in the car; just ask her friends and siblings! Andrea was a true animal lover, but she adored horses and trail rides on one of her horses. 

It is the family's comfort to know that Andrea loved the Lord. Psalm 23 was her favorite scripture because it gave her peace and comfort. She and her family are active members of Trinity Lutheran Church in Mountain Home.

Andrea is survived by her parents: Nathanael and Faith Winrod of Tecumseh; her sisters: Debra, Amie and Felicia Winrod; her brothers: Derek, Kyle and Kenneth Winrod. Also mourning her loss are her maternal grandparents: Steven and Audrey Marczak of Minnesota, and her paternal grandparents, Jon and Debra Winrod of Alaska, as well as many uncles, aunts, cousins and treasured friends. She was loved by so many and will never be forgotten.

Arrangements are under the direction of Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Gainesville.

Ozark County Times

504 Third Steet
PO Box 188
Gainesville, MO 65655

Phone: (417) 679-4641
Fax: (417) 679-3423