Lina Janet Witherspoon

Lina Janet Witherspoon, 89, of 880 Taborn Road, Carrier Mills, IL died Tuesday January 10, 2017 at 1:15 pm at Harrisburg Medical Center. Graveside services will be held Saturday January 14, 2017 at 11 am at Lakeview Cemetery in Carrier Mills, IL. There will be no visitation all family and friends should go directly to the cemetery. Pastor Larry Mullinix will officiate and Felty Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements. She was born on April 4, 1927 in Harrisburg, IL to the late Henry Benjamin and Lenora Jane (Taborn) Cole. Lina graduated as valedictorian of her class in Carrier Mills and received a scholarship to attend Southern Illinois University. After studying for some time she decided to marry the love of her life, Sam Evans Witherspoon. The were married for 71 years, raising two children Charles Evans Witherspoon and Dr. Melodye Witherspoon Wehrung of Massachusetts. Lina was known for her fiery spirit and her love for developing the beauty of the countryside in historic Lake View community. Lina brought that community to national attention through the documentation of the many historically rare acres owned and occupied by free men of color prior to the Civil War. She will join many of the decedents of these proud families in the Lake View Cemetery which surrounds Mt. Zion Baptist Church where she was a lifelong member. Evidence abounds in her love for the country life, by the beautiful gardens that caused many passerby to slow and admire the lush splashes of color from exotic flowers that also entertain butterflies and birds and the constant wagging tails of pets. Mrs. Witherspoon was an amazing cook. For years, she helped organize her large extended family to gather from all over the country to sample each other's homemade ice creams, sherbets, cakes, pies and her husband Sam's Barbecue and Fish. Generations of children grew up with memories of Memorial Day ice creams eaten on the grassy slopes of Mt. Zion while their parents embraced, each year after year while decorating the graves of their proud ancestors. At Lake View Cemetery, this Memorial Day will include dear Lina among the long line of spirited men and women who model for generations to come, a people of honor, faith, community , and intelligence. Mrs. Witherspoon was preceded in an earthly death by her sisters, Corintha, Marcella, Artie, Lucille and her brother Vincent. She lives in the hearts of her husband, Sam of Carrier Mills, IL; son, Charles; daughter, Melodye both of Massachusetts; grandsons Dustan Witherspoon of Carrier Mills, IL and Colin Wehrung of Boston, and host of nieces and nephews, (Myron, Phillip, Anthony, Kirkland, Connie, Rachel, Nikki, Olga, Lenora) cousins and friends. Plans for a memorial service will follow at a later date.