Eugene "Bobby" Robert Witherspoon

Eugene Robert (Bobby) Witherspoon was born on August 31, 1943, in Freedman’s Hospital in Washington, D.C. He was the oldest of two sons born to Joseph Eugene and Thelma Virginia (Ellison) Witherspoon of Manning, South Carolina and Bristol, Virginia.

Bobby was educated in the District of Columbia Public School System and graduated from Spingarn High School in 1961. Bobby attended American University from 1969-1970 where he studied English and Administration of Justice.

Bobby was married to Ms. Marcia Withers in 1961 and in this union, two sons were born, Robert Darren and David Anthony. Bobby was married to Ms. Carol Rowe in 1986 and in this union, a son, Shannon Dennard was born.

Bobby began his career in the Federal Government as a Photographer for the General Services Administration. He later transitioned to the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, D.C. where he served his community exceptionally for 40+ years in Districts 4 and 5. Bobby mentored several officers professionally and personally and made a profound impact on the lives of his fellow officers and department. Throughout his police tenure, he worked in several areas that included domestic violence and served on a special protective detail for the Mayor Sharon Pratt Kelly in 1991-1995.

Bobby was a dapper man, known for his fine taste in clothing, style and decorating; He was a sports enthusiast, avid tennis player and bowler who bowled in duckpin leagues and won several tournaments in the area. On Friday nights, you could find Bobby gathering with his Friday night card crew playing pinochle, poker or tonk. Bobby also loved to teach and beat his family in games of chess, dominoes, and backgammon.

Bobby loved his family and showed his love and appreciation by showering them with gifts or hosting Holiday gatherings for Memorial Day, Christmas and Thanksgiving. The more, the merrier.

If you had the pleasure of knowing and loving Bobby, you became a friend for life. He was a true and devoted friend to his childhood, high school and police department friends and remained in contact with them up to his passing. His mentorship and supportive nature went beyond his friends and into his community of Lamond Riggs where Bobby mentored and encouraged many of the youth in the neighborhood and had to bail a few out of trouble. Now adults, they still speak very highly of him to this day.

Bobby was received into eternal life on Wednesday, July 20th in Crownsville, Maryland. He was preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Thelma; and his brother Joseph Witherspoon.

He leaves to cherish his loving and beautiful memory, his devoted friend and companion, Bettye Straughter; four sons, Robert Darren (Denise) of Upper Marlboro, Maryland; David Anthony (Kimberly) of Bowie, Maryland; Shannon Dennard (Natasha) of Washington, D.C.; Robert Christopher of Washington, D.C.; one daughter, Toya Randi of Washington, D.C. and ten grandchildren; Jade Tyler, Nicolas Alexsander, Sean Avery, Seth David, Robert Myles, Gabrielle Antonia, Skyla Carole, Charley Da’Nae, Xeyani Crisette, Emery Taj; one loving sister-in-law Sabre Thompson; one nephew Dax Witherspoon; two loving cousins Morgan Langston and Marvin Ellison Jr., and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.