The mix of cold temperatures, snow and freezing rain were not enough to keep family, friends and community members from celebrating the life and legacy of the late Thelma Everette Witherspoon, a woman known for her cooking and willingness to always help those in need.
On Jan. 29, several gathered at Bethel AME Church in the Hill District for a memorial to pay tribute to Witherspoon who died one year ago from that day in a horrific fire in the 800 block of Shawnee Street in the Hill District. She was 95 years old.
“I really couldn’t have made it today without them (those in attendance),” said Katie Everette Johnson, Witherspoon’s younger sister and organizer of the memorial. “I was shocked, at four o’clock (in the morning) I had waken up and I was surprised by how much I was reacting to the fact that it was the day she died. I really was shocked because I didn’t react that much a year ago. But having them come has made a difference. I don’t know how I would have really gotten through today. So it did make me feel good to have (everyone here).”
Johnson went on to say that her sister was like a mother to her.
The afternoon began with a special musical tribute by Black Political Empowerment Project founder Tim Stevens, followed by remarks from Witherspoon’s loved ones, including her many “adopted children” who affectionately referred to her as their second mother. Each spoke of the love that Witherspoon showed them, her church and her community.
“Through it all, God’s the one that puts special people in your life to help you through the things you need to do. She was more of a help to me than I could ever be to her,” Dr. Barbara Jean Thompson said during her remarks. “I know now she’s just smiling to know that we’re still doing the things for God that she always talked about. So Aunt Thelma, thank you.”
Sherrian Mitchell, a longtime member of Bethel, gave remarks about her beloved church member, saying that Witherspoon’s willingness to help inspired others to want to do the same.
Witherspoon was known for organizing the church’s annual Thanksgiving Day dinner giveaway, along with meals for other functions. Under her leadership each year, the church served and delivered more than 300 dinners to members of the community.
Following the memorial ceremony, guests were fed a delicious lunch in the church’s multipurpose room. There was also a surprise birthday acknowledgement for Johnson who turned 92 on Feb. 3.
Reverend Roseanne Oliver, who attended the memorial in support of Johnson, said, “Katie Everette and her sister were pretty much all of our mothers coming along. I was one of Ms. Katie’s children and when I saw that she was honoring her sister, I knew I wanted to be apart of that.”
Donations collected at the event will benefit an access ramp built at the church in Witherspoon’s honor.
Follow @NewPghCourier on Twitter https://twitter.com/NewPghCourier
Like us at https://www.facebook.com/pages/New-Pittsburgh-Courier/143866755628836?ref=hl
Download our mobile app at https://www.appshopper.com/news/new-pittsburgh-courier
About Post Author
