Sarah Witherspoon

Sarah Witherspoon died Wednesday, November 16, 2011 in Bay Shore, New York. She was born on September 15, 1917 to the late Lula Dixon and Napoleon Salters in Manning, SC. Sarah had nine siblings – Annie Kate, Twins-Fannie Jane and Mary Lou, Mattie Florena, Leila Margaret, Rachel, Reese Napoleon, Ralston and Parnell.

Her parents were farmers and her childhood was primarily spent helping to work the land and caring for her younger siblings. She attended the local schoolhouse receiving her primary education. The Salters family actively participated in their Baptist church community. Sarah accepted the Lord at an early age and was baptized.

As a young woman, Sarah left Manning and found work as a domestic in New York City. She later returned to Manning and married Lee Ernest Witherspoon in February, 1938. In approximately 1943, Sarah left Manning to relocate to New York City where she remained for years. During her time in New York, Sarah served as a housekeeper in a city hospital.

During her lifetime Sarah had five children: Sarah Lee, Learness, Reese, Frank and Lula. While raising her children she lived in Manhattan and the Bronx, New York.

When her children were all grown, Sarah moved to Copperas Cove, Texas after visiting her daughter Lula and her husband. She was very active in the Senior Citizen community and had many friends. She was skilled in quilting, crocheting, and knitting blankets which she shared with family members. Sarah had quite a “green thumb” and enjoyed gardening, winning several community awards and getting her picture in the local paper. After twelve years, she became ill and returned to New York to live with her eldest daughter and family. Sarah loved to have family around her, especially around the holidays because it was her favorite time of year.

She later regained her health and moved to senior citizen housing in Brentwood, New York. There she became a member of the Heritage Baptist Church in a town called Bay Shore.

In 2010 Sarah’s health began to decline, which required her to move back with her family. However, she continued to attend an adult daycare program most days of the week and required home health aide assistance.

On November 16, 2011, Sarah was called home to be with God. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

Sarah Witherspoon is survived by her children, Sarah Lee Ruff of West Babylon, New York, Reese Witherspoon of Albuquerque, New Mexico and Lula Jolley of Copperas Cove, Texas; two sisters, Mary Singleton of Manning, South Carolina and Rachel Wilson of the Bronx, New York; one sister-in-law, Geraldine; two sons-in-law, Thomas and Aubrey; Reese’s fiancée Gloria; four granddaughters – Kelly, Sandra, Leah and Kershell; three grandsons – Thomas, Anthony and Renee’; nine great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, cousins and friends.

Family and friends will gather at the D'Andrea Bros. Funeral Home in Copiague on Sunday, November 20th. A Funeral Service will be offered on Monday, at the funeral home at 12 Noon. Officiating is the Rev. Dr. Vincent E. Williams, of the Heritage Baptist Church of Bay Shore, where Mrs. Witherspoon was a member, Interment will follow in Amityville Cemetery.