Louis Witherspoon

A strong Christian and family man, Louis learned the value of hard work and a good education at an early age. Louis never failed to stand his ground and always spoke his mind. Kind and generous, Louis was constantly going out of his way to help others. An attention getter, Louis loved being the center of attention and never missed an opportunity to make others laugh.

Born to proud parents Johnnie Witherspoon and Maggie Adams, Louis Witherspoon entered the world on November 2, 1924 in humble surroundings on a plantation. Louis, the youngest in a family of five children, was born and raised in the small farming community of

Havana, Alabama

. He loved his mother, a quiet Creek Indian woman with slender face and long black hair. Like many other youngsters in

Havana

, Louis grew up working in the cotton fields. Although he never enjoyed working in the fields, Louis did what was necessary to supplement the family income. As a young man Louis traveled, big towns and small towns, from the backwoods juke joints to making homemade corn liquor he lived many stories and heard many more.

Louis never underestimated the importance of a good education. He had to walk a great distance to attend school, like everything else during this time, nothing was easy. Louis stressed the importance of education to his own children, and never failed to make sacrifices to see that his children received a quality education. He gave his family this mantra: You can be anything you choose to be!!! One of his proudest moments was watching his daughter Doris receive her PhD. When Louis listened to

Doris

give a speech at a family reunion, he broke down crying. He had always been working and this was the first time he had heard her formally speak.

Louis gave 28 years of hard work to General Motors. He retired from his job as a car loader in 1986. Louis enjoyed working at GM and, over the years, was very instrumental in improving working conditions on the dock for himself and his co-workers. In addition to his employment with GM, Louis owned his own rubbish removal company and several rental properties.

Completely devoted to his family, Louis was a good-hearted, solid man, who always worked for the security of his family. Louis always said his favorite place on earth was "wherever his wife Bessie was." A bright spot in Louis' life was the celebration of his 50th wedding anniversary. Louis and Bessie shared three beautiful children; a son, Willie, and two daughters, Doris and Eloise. Louis taught his children never to brag about themselves, although he was ceaselessly bragging about them. Louis was considered by his family to be a master storyteller and the family historian.

Louis' hobbies included working in his garden and driving his truck. He enjoyed listening to the "Blues" and gospel music. Louis never missed the opportunity to tell a funny story or relive some part of the family history. He loved making people laugh, and never had to try very hard. Louis loved all kinds of food, but his favorite one was homemade biscuits, a recipe he was able cook himself. A faithful member of

Second

Baptist

Church

in

Ypsilanti

, Louis devoutly attended church and was an usher for many years.

Louis had always told his family that he wanted them to host a family reunion, an event that was recently held in Louis' honor. Louis recently went to live at Bortz Health Care, when it was no longer possible for him to stay at home. It was here that Louis passed away on Tuesday, October 25, 2005, at the age of 80. He will be deeply missed by many family members and friends.

Louis Witherspoon, 80, of Ypsilanti, MI, died on Tuesday, October 25, 2005, at Bortz Health Care. Mr. Witherspoon is survived by his wife, Bessie; his three children, Willie Louis (Joyce) Witherspoon, Doris Witherspoon, and Eloise (Ronald) Johnson; his grandchildren, Chester Allen Beasley, Jason Louis Ackles, Gary (Traci) Witherspoon, Regina Johnson, and Sharonda Johnson; and five great grandchildren. He is also survived by his nephew/sons, Jay Bernard (Sheree) Thomas and Jerry (Faye) Hearns, as well as his brother-in-law, Ezra Arnold (Rebecca) Hearns. Louis was preceded in death by his parents; step-father Rance Holley; his sister, Mary Williams; and three brothers, Wes Witherspoon, Oscar Lee Witherspoon and Henry Marks.

Mr. Witherspoon's family will receive friends at the Nie Life Story Funeral Home,

2400 Carpenter Road

, on Sunday, October 30, 2005, from 5 - 8 pm. A funeral service will be held on Monday, October 31, 2005, at 11:00 am, at the Second Baptist Church, 301 South Hamilton Street, in Ypsilanti, MI. Family will gather at the church from 10:00 am until the time of the service. Burial will follow at United Memorial Gardens in Plymouth, MI. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, Michigan Great Lakes Chapter, 107 April Drive, Suite 1, Ann Arbor, MI 48103, or to Bortz Health Care, Third Floor Activities, 20 South Prospect Road, Ypsilanti, MI 48198.

To learn more about Louis Witherspoon, read his life story, leave a memory, or sign the guest book, please visit his personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com.