Tom Winston was born February 7, 1882, to Thomas Harris and Sarah Shealey Winston on his father’s farm in Chambers County, Alabama. When Thomas was 5 years old, he and his family moved to Auburn, Alabama, where he attended Auburn’s public schools and later Alabama Polytechnic Institute. In 1901 he moved to Opp where he was engaged in real estate while working with the firm of Winston Brothers (Fred H. and George D.), building contractors. In 1905 Tom became a partner in the business and the firm was reorganized under the same name with Fredrick H. and Thomas Pelham becoming equal partners and operating until 1916 in Covington County and West Florida with headquarters in Opp, AL.
On October 18, 1906 Thomas married Birdie Gertrude McFerrin, the daughter of Mr. & Mrs. E.A.McFerrin. The McFerrin family, early settlers in Opp, later joined with three other families in the Opp area to organize the Opp Church of Christ in 1910.
In 1916 Tom embarked in the building contracting business for himself and so continued until 1924, when in partnership with M.B. Knowles, he greatly enlarged his enterprise and established the Opp Building & Supply Co. with a general woodwork plant and offices on College Street. In the mid-twenties Tom Winston is credited with the building of the First Methodist Church and First Baptist Church. At about the same time he built for himself a new home on the corner of Ida and College. As a builder of notes, he was able to include some unique features and use premium materials. He hired a craftsman from Italy to design and install unusual materials in the main entrance hall and other areas of the home. This was the first home in Opp to have central heat and had its own water supply to accommodate indoor plumbing. In 1919 Winston joined the Church of Christ and continued a faithful member if his health permitted. He served his church as a teacher, Deacon, and Elder and his Christian life was exemplified in his everyday living. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge no. 605, A.F. & A.M, the order of the Eastern Star and was an honorary member of Opp Rotary Club.
Mr. Winston served on the City Council for eight years, demonstrating in civic matters the same qualities of sound business judgment that brought him success in his own business undertakings. In 1932 he was elected Mayor of Opp and served in that capacity for twelve years. At the time he took office as Mayor, Opp like most towns, had no financial credit and owed money that was far past-due. Mayor Winston took four thousand dollars of his own money and paid the outstanding debts and thus placed the city in good standing. A major accomplishment during Mayor Winston’s tenure was the securing of WPA Funds to build the Municipal Building. Serving as Superintendent of the plan and construction, he turned the labor in the construction of the building over to TT Clark. The result was a building that inspired a large group of Opp’s citizens to sign a petition expressing their lasting appreciation for Mr. T.P.Winston’s contribution of time as superintendent of the building and the assistance rendered in the purchase of materials without compensation or profit to himself. This statement signed by more than seventy of Opp’s citizens was made in permanent form and placed on file in the library of the Municipal Building.
In 1948 Mr. Winston recognized his health was failing and sold his business (Opp Building & Supply) to John and Joseph Breedlove. However, he continued his personal projects. Mr. Winston deserved and held the esteem of the people throughout this section. He was known to always give a square deal and expect the same in return. He placed his Church and his family first. His civic pride was an outstanding trait. Thomas Pelham Winston died March 1, 1949, and is buried in Opp City Cemetery. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame 2012.
