Charles McKimmon Winston

Charles attended Ravenscroft School and graduated high school from the Augusta Military Academy in Virginia in 1947. He attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he was an active member of the Zeta Psi fraternity, the Order of the Gimghoul, and the UNC ROTC Corps as a Cadet Colonel. After receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1953, Charles went on to serve in the US Air Force as an officer until 1955.

Charles met the love of his life, Florence Barclay, in her junior year at Sweet Briar, and after her graduation, the two were wed in 1957 in Flo’s hometown of Cranbury, New Jersey. And so began a wonderful relationship that would span 64 years. Charles and Flo were at each other’s side in all aspects of life -- whether it was raising three children, starting new business ventures, or devoting time to charitable organizations. They were true partners in all sense of the word.

In 1959, Charles and his friend Thad Eure, Jr. decided that Raleigh needed a new restaurant, and they entered the business by building a steakhouse on the outskirts of Raleigh. This bold and decidedly risky venture left many questioning their sanity. Through a lot of hard work (much of it from their wives) and a little bit of luck, the duo opened the Angus Barn in 1960. Charlie and Flo were known to all patrons of “the Barn” and the venture proved to be a source of great pride and joy for him. Charles and Thad continued to capitalize on their success in the restaurant industry by opening Pizza Inn restaurants. Additionally, he, along with Thad and Darryl Davis founded the restaurant chain Darryl’s in 1970. In 1985, Charles decided to go into the hotel industry with his friends Jack Harris, Earl Johnson, Bill Clark and Henry Shaw. After great success, the business was sold to son, Bob, who took the company public as Winston Hotels in 1994.

Charles had a deep love of Raleigh and he invested his time and talents extensively in his community. He always felt he was blessed and was generous with all he had. He often remarked anything he gave was rewarded with twice in return. Charles served as a board member of the North Carolina American Cancer Society, Rex Hospital Foundation and Raleigh Community Hospital. He also served as an Executive Board Member of the North Carolina Museum of History Associates chairing the new building committee. Charles served as Board Chair of Saint Mary’s School and as a member of the Trustee Advisory Committee for Ravenscroft School. He also served as President on the Board of the Carolina Country Club and the Figure Eight Island Yacht Club. He was a lifetime member of Christ Church of Raleigh, where he served in roles from choir boy as a child, to senior warden in his adult life. He and Flo received the Christ Church Cross for their service. For all their leadership and philanthropy in their community he and Flo, were also inducted into the Raleigh Hall of Fame in 2011.

Charles was passionate about many things, but little superseded his love of the Tar Heels. He was an avid Carolina football and basketball fan. Charles served in numerous roles at UNC: Chairman and Board member of the Educational Foundation, President of the General Alumni Association, Vice Chair and Board Member of the Arts & Sciences Foundation. He served as an Advisory Board Member for the UNC Board of Visitors and as a board member of the Lineberger Cancer Center. His dedication and service to the university earned him the UNC General Alumni Association’s Distinguished Service Medal and The William R. Davie Award.

Charles and Flo loved nothing more than entertaining friends, family, and community organizations. While Charles was engaged in many business and civic works, he will be remembered most for his gracious hospitality and the wonderful parties and events he and Flo hosted at their home.

Charles was preceded in death by his parents, Anne McKimmon and Robert Watson Winston, Jr. as well as his sister, Jane Winston Witherspoon and brother, James Horner Winston.

Charles is survived by his wife, Florence; his daughter, Marion T. Winston; son, Charles M. Winston, Jr. (Jenny); son, Robert W. Winston III (Tracy); and seven grandchildren.

The family would like to thank and acknowledge Transitions Life Care, HomeWerks Home Care and Home Instead with a special thanks to Marian Denning for their excellent care.

Due to Coronavirus, a private burial will be held at Oakwood Cemetery followed by a private funeral service at Christ Episcopal Church in Raleigh at 11:00 AM on Saturday, February 20th, 2021. The service will be livestreamed and recorded by Island Sound at: https://video.ibm.com/channel/island-sound, or through www.brownwynneraleigh.com.

UPDATED, RECORDED MEMORIAL SERVICE LINK: https://spaces.hightail.com/receive/cBzyVNkEuR/fi-fffa0db6-97bc-40fb-bf9c-73898c384f73/fv-0eda93a1-db10-417f-83fd-5d5bcc96a157/Winston.mp4

In lieu of flowers, send donations to either Oakwood Cemetery (P.O. Box 26867, Raleigh, NC 27611) or the UNC REX Heart and Vascular Hospital (Rex Healthcare Foundation, 2500 Blue Ridge Rd., Suite 325, Raleigh NC 27607. All donations are tax-deductible and will be acknowledged to the family.

Services provided by Brown-Wynne, 300 Saint Mary's St. Raleigh, NC.