Benjamin Witherspoon
Benjamin Franklin Witherspoon, 82, died on January 27, 2015 at a local hospital.
He was born July 12, 1932, to Olivia and Bestedia Witherspoon in Springhill, Al. He graduated from Green County Training School in Bolige, Al. Upon completion he joined the United States Army, receiving an honorable discharge. He continued his education in Nashville, attending Agriculture and Industrial State University (now known as Tennessee State University). He received his undergraduate and master’s degrees in Electrical Engineering.
While in college he started his first company, Star Electric, in Nashville. He moved to Chattanooga and taught in the Hamilton County School System for over 30 years. He started another business in Chattanooga, Carver’s Appliance Store, and invested into Carves Century 21 Real Estate. He became the secretary of his Business Organization. If there was any way he could help, he was willing.
Early in life, he professed his hope in Christ at Friendship Church in Demopolis, Al. When he relocated to Nashville, he joined Mt. Ararat Baptist Church, later moving his membership to Missionary Ridge Baptist Church & Tabernacle Baptist Church, Chattanooga where he served on the deacon board as a trustee of the church. He was very faithful to his church and church family.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Bestedia and Olivia Witherspoon; wife, Theolester C. Witherspoon, son, Thomas J. Witherspoon, daughter, Victoria Carr Witherspoon; sister, Lula M. Crenshaw and Ada M. Harris; brother, James T. Witherspoon.
He is survived by his devoted wife, Armpernellia Wigfall Witherspoon; son, Kenneth (Crystal) Witherspoon; granddaughter, Kujorah Beasley; grandson, Wesley Carr; step-children, Twana (Greg) Shepard, Walter (Sharon) Wigfall, Jr., Lenard Wigfall, Larry Wigfall, all of Chattanooga; god-daughter, Paula Hughes; aunt, Essie Wright Nashville; brothers and sisters-in-law, Genva Lawrence and Lula P. Harvey, Memphis; Esther Fuller, Jackson, TN; Odis Cox, Moscow, TN; Brittian and Oliver Cox; Memphis; Mary L. Jackson, Chattanooga; Edna Varner, Montgomery, AL; Iola Baldwin, Ernest Mason, Charles Abercrombie, and Ernest (Betty) Abercrombie, all of Clanton, AL: devoted niece, Janette Harris Johnson; a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 4, in the funeral home chapel with Reverend R. Jones of Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church presiding, and Reverend Grant Harris as eulogist. Interment will be in Chattanooga National Cemetery.
The body will lie in state after noon on Tuesday, Feb. 3, and the family will receive friends from 6–7 p.m. at John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Ave., 622-9995.