Robert K Witherspoon
 

Robert Kenneth Witherspoon, 81, died Friday, August 1, 2003 at Duke University Medical Center. Born in Salisbury, he was the son of the late Raymond Alexander and Ora Lillian Morefield Witherspoon. Mr. Witherspoon was a dedicated Christian man who loved the Lord and his family. He was a member of Ephesus Baptist Church and the Mal Pope Sunday School Class. He served his church as a deacon and a Sunday School teacher of ages three years to adult.

After graduating from NCSU with a BS in horticulture in 1951, he moved to Durham, where he founded Witherspoon Rose Culture. He was a lifetime member of the American Rose Society and an accredited rose judge. One of the greatest pleasures in his life was seeing the joy his roses brought to others.

Mr. Witherspoon served his country in the U S Army during WW II  as a member of the famed Bushmasters. He was a member of the Eno Masonic Lodge #210.

Surviving are his wife of 53 years, Thelma Arnette Witherspoon, his daughter, Annette Witherspoon Tate and son-in-law, Phillip Murray Tate; daughter Rhonda Witherspoon Pike and son-in-law, David Van Buren Pike; one sister, Rebecca Jean Pond; and grandchildren, Rebecca Grace Tate, Jennifer Ruth Tate, Robert Murray Tate, Emily Rose Tate, Taylor Van Buren Pike, Lindsey Diane Pike and Mary Alice Pike.

Funeral services were held at 2:30 pm Sunday, August 3, 2003 at Ephesus Baptist Church with the Rev. Woody Massey officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Ephesus Baptist Church building fund, 2025 Ephesus Church Road, Chapel Hill NC 27517.