Raymond M. "Spoonie" Witherspoon III

Raymond M. 'Spoonie" Witherspoon III ABINGDON, Va. Raymond M. "Spoonie" Witherspoon III, 67, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2010, in Grace Health Care in Abingdon. Spoonie was born Jan. 19, 1943, in Abingdon and was a son of Raymond M. Witherspoon Jr. and Virginia Kreger Witherspoon. He was a graduate of Abingdon High School, received his B.A. from Emory & Henry College and his M.S. from East Tennessee State University. He first taught elementary school at Adwolf, Va., and was later an instructor at Tusculum College, Virginia Intermont College and finally Virginia Highlands Community College where he retired after 25 years. Spoonie was a man of generous spirit, a devoted husband and father, a great talker and a gracious listener. He loved people and a good laugh. His other pleasures were fishing and boating. He was a dog lover and a Yellow Dog Democrat. He will be dearly missed. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by an uncle, Johnny Stubbs. Survivors are his wife, Martha Miller Witherspoon; his daughter, Amanda Witherspoon and her husband, Eric; and his daughter, Sarah Witherspoon and her fianc‚, John Phillips; two grandchildren, Theo and Bella Witherspoon; aunts, Kathryn W. Stubbs, Anne W. Lindsey, and Wolfe, Witherspoon;, and Shanholtz cousins. He is also survived by his dog, Shelby. A graveside service for Raymond M. Witherspoon III will be conducted at 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11, 2010, at Knollkreg Memorial Park in Abingdon with Rev. Walter Weikel officiating. The family will receive friends at Farris Funeral Service from 6 until 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 10, 2010. It was Spoonie's fondest wish to establish a scholarship fund honoring his friend, Marion "Whitey" Johnson. Memorials to Spoonie may be made to Faith In Action, for the Whitey Johnson Scholarship Fund, 798 Hillman Highway, Abingdon, VA 24210. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com and signing the online guestbook. The family of Mr. Witherspoon is under the care of Farris Funeral Service, 427 East Main St., Abingdon, VA 24210 (276) 623-2700.