Obituary for Calbert Witherspoon
Calbert (Jack) Witherspoon was a man who walked to the beat of his own drum. Born on November 2, 1940 in Lynchburg, South Carolina, Jack was the third of nine children born to the late Daniel and Vernese Witherspoon. As a kid (and as an adult), Jack was full of equal parts energy and mischief.
Like the rest of his family members, Jack loved the Lord. He had a talent for singing, which he used to praise Him. Jack began singing in the church choir and continued throughout his time at Eastern High School. He was part of an acapella singing group called, The Witherspoon Boys, with his brother Bill and cousin Jonell. They competed across the state, wiping the floor with the competition. When The Witherspoon Boys showed up, for everyone else it became a competition for 2nd place.
When his singing days were over, Jack moved to New York City in 1963. He immediately fell in love with city life – the pace, the job market, the fashion and, the women. He held a number of different jobs over the years before retiring.
He loved God, family and football – and not necessarily in that order. He was that crazy father, grandfather, uncle, brother and son we all loved. No matter the issue, he always found the positive side. He made friends wherever he went, with his charismatic personality and hearty laugh. He will certainly be missed.
Jack passed away on Saturday morning, November 23rd. Although he desperately wanted a boy, he leaves behind three daughters: Kecia Boney Lewis (John) Washington, DC; Naima Witherspoon, Harrisburg, PA; and Koren Witherspoon, Tallahassee, FL; one grandson, Kevin Braxton; and his beloved, longtime friend, Evelyn Frasier; three siblings: Amos Witherspoon (Maggie), Ft Lauderdale, FL; E. Daniel Witherspoon (Sally) Ft. Lauderdale, FL; Joyce Forrester (Orville), Tamarac, FL; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Jack was preceded by Albert Witherspoon, Sr., Shirley Whitfield, Philip E. Witherspoon and Chester Witherspoon.
Like the rest of his family members, Jack loved the Lord. He had a talent for singing, which he used to praise Him. Jack began singing in the church choir and continued throughout his time at Eastern High School. He was part of an acapella singing group called, The Witherspoon Boys, with his brother Bill and cousin Jonell. They competed across the state, wiping the floor with the competition. When The Witherspoon Boys showed up, for everyone else it became a competition for 2nd place.
When his singing days were over, Jack moved to New York City in 1963. He immediately fell in love with city life – the pace, the job market, the fashion and, the women. He held a number of different jobs over the years before retiring.
He loved God, family and football – and not necessarily in that order. He was that crazy father, grandfather, uncle, brother and son we all loved. No matter the issue, he always found the positive side. He made friends wherever he went, with his charismatic personality and hearty laugh. He will certainly be missed.
Jack passed away on Saturday morning, November 23rd. Although he desperately wanted a boy, he leaves behind three daughters: Kecia Boney Lewis (John) Washington, DC; Naima Witherspoon, Harrisburg, PA; and Koren Witherspoon, Tallahassee, FL; one grandson, Kevin Braxton; and his beloved, longtime friend, Evelyn Frasier; three siblings: Amos Witherspoon (Maggie), Ft Lauderdale, FL; E. Daniel Witherspoon (Sally) Ft. Lauderdale, FL; Joyce Forrester (Orville), Tamarac, FL; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Jack was preceded by Albert Witherspoon, Sr., Shirley Whitfield, Philip E. Witherspoon and Chester Witherspoon.