Oprah Winfrey is mourning the loss of her father. Image Source: USA Today
Oprah Winfrey is mourning the loss of her father.
Oprah Winfrey’s father, Vernon Winfrey, passed away at the age of 88. She took to her social media to share the heartbreaking news with the world, where she reposted a video of the surprise gathering she recently organized for her father on July 4th. She also confirmed the news of her father’s passing away by Oprah’s digital publication, "Oprah Daily."
In the post's description, Oprah said that less than a week prior, she had paid tribute to her father, Vernon Winfrey, in his backyard, where gospel musician and friend Wintley Phipps had performed a song in his honor. According to Oprah, her father experienced love and basked in it up until he lost his ability to communicate. She went on to say that she had the hallowed privilege of seeing the man who had given her life draw his final breath, with relatives gathered at his bedside.
Oprah Winfrey said that they could feel peace entering the room as her father passed away and that the peace still abides and all is well. She thanked everyone for their prayers and good thoughts. The cause of Vernon Winfrey’s death has not been disclosed, but it is known that he had not been keeping well for a while.
On the 4th of July, Oprah Winfrey shared a video that was filmed by Gayle King who was also the part of the celebration. She mentioned that she decided to surprise her father by gathering all of his closest people to celebrate the 4th of July with him till he was able to enjoy it. She said that she had been planning a backyard barbecue but it was more like Vernon Winfrey Appreciation Day because her father was ill and they all wanted to celebrate the day with him, so everyone who loved Vernon Winfrey gathered for Vernon Winfrey Appreciation Day.
Oprah Winfrey said that they wanted to celebrate Vernon Winfrey's Appreciation Day also because her father always believed in giving love to the people so they all wanted him to receive the love as well till the time he can receive joy and love. The host said that her father did not know that all of the celebrations were for him and still thought that everyone gathered to celebrate the 4th of July.
Oprah Winfrey has mentioned in the past that her parents, Vernon Winfrey and Vernita Lee, were never married and her mother passed away in 2018. Oprah was born when Vernita was just 14 years old and explained that they had sex once and her mother sent her father a letter stating that he should send money because he had a daughter. Oprah mentioned that her father never knew whether he was her biological father or not, but he took care of her in a way that he provided her with love, care, direction, and support as a young teenage girl and made her who she is today. She added that her father saved her.
Vernon was a barber for 50 years and owned Winfrey Barber and Beauty Shop in Nashville, and in 2012, the host purchased the business where her father continued to work, and he was still cutting hair at the age of 86. In talking about how much his job and the barber shop meant to Vernon, Oprah had mentioned in an interview previously that black men would come in, hardworking men who were doing everything they could to support their families, and some of them worked two to three jobs. So, that is how she knows the stories of Black Father and added that one was the man she knew and the others were those she grew up with.
Vernon worked on the Metro Nashville Council for 16 years and was a trustee at Tennessee State University. The Nashville Mayor John Cooper, said that along with serving on Metro Council for 16 years, Vernon Winfrey dedicated his life to entrepreneurship, barbering, and coaching young men in society and will be remembered for all the good work he did. He was also a member of the group who also expressed his sincere condolences about Vernon Winfrey's passing and wrote that he offers his deepest condolences to the family. Vernon Winfrey was a deacon and an Army veteran who had created a legacy of service, John said in his closing remarks.
