Onnie Lee Winebarger

Onnie Lee Winebarger, age 77, of Byrdstown, TN, passed away Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at Cookeville Regional Medical Center.

He was born October 16, 1947, in Kingsport, TN, in the country community known as The Short Hills, to Marvin and Charmie (Smith) Winebarger. He attended Ketron High School, where he developed his love of golf. During his high school and early college years, Onnie and his brother George worked every Saturday at the Kingsport Stockyards. There they were mentored by the owners and learned many life lessons and values that would shape the rest of their lives.

Onnie earned his undergraduate degree in Physics from East Tennessee State University. He began law school at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville but chose to pause his studies to work at Tennessee Eastman in Kingsport, and later at the newly established Eastman plant in Arkansas. Ultimately, his passion for the law led him back to Knoxville, where he completed his degree at the University of Tennessee College of Law. He went on to become an attorney and business owner in Byrdstown, TN.

He was an avid hunter and reader and enjoyed making wine.

He is survived by his wife, LaVerne (Mullins) Winebarger; two daughters, Michelle Lea Winebarger, and Jennifer (Winebarger) Leatherman and husband Jeremy; two grandchildren, Jazlyn and Janelle; one sister, Patricia "Sis" Tester; and two brothers, Charles Winebarger and George Winebarger. He is also survived by many other family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Marvin and Charmie Winebarger, and one brother, Steve Winebarger.

Visitation and Memorial Service will be held Sunday, September 21, 2025, from 2:00–4:00 PM at Brown's Funeral Chapel.