On July 8, Vernon Winfrey, Oprah’s father, passed away in the evening. Age-wise, he was 89. Oprah was able to spend time with him in his final weeks, announcing in her Father’s Day message video that she was in Nashville to see him. After that, Oprah revealed only last week that Mr. Winfrey was battling…
On July 8, Vernon Winfrey, Oprah’s father, passed away in the evening. Age-wise, he was 89.
Oprah was able to spend time with him in his final weeks, announcing in her Father’s Day message video that she was in Nashville to see him. After that, Oprah revealed only last week that Mr. Winfrey was battling cancer.
Oprah revealed in a video on her Instagram that she was celebrating the Fourth of July with him, but Vernon didn’t realize that it was really a memorial service for him. It was dubbed the “Vernon Winfrey Appreciation Celebration” by Oprah, who also brought along some of his favorite people, including his older sister Christine, who he hugged sob-wise upon seeing her. During the party, Oprah thanked him for being the type of parent who had brought respect to both his and her lives.
Oprah pens the following in a message of memory published on JUL 9, 2022:
“Less than a week ago we honored my father in his own backyard. My friend and gospel singer Wintley Phipps saluted him with song. He FELT the love and reveled in it until he could no longer speak. Yesterday with family surrounding his bedside I had the sacred honor of witnessing the man responsible for my life, take his last breath. We could feel Peace enter the room at his passing.
That Peace still abides. All is well. Thank you for your prayers and good thoughts.”
In her Father’s Day video, Oprah discussed some of the teachings her father had instilled in her, attributing her success to him.
“If it were not for him, I doubt that anybody in the world would know my name.”
She concluded by highlighting the value of father figures:
“I know firsthand how the trajectory of life can change by the positive influence of a good father.”
It is obvious that Mr. Winfrey had that great influence during his life, which many people will continue to experience for a very long time.
