[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 96 (Friday, July 17, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1340]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                TRIBUTE TO JOHN AND DOROTHY WITHERSPOON

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES E. CLYBURN

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 17, 1998

  Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to John Ivory 
and Dorothy Mae Smith Witherspoon as they celebrate their 50th wedding 
anniversary. The Witherspoons have lived in Sumter County for 48 years 
and have raised an amazing family.
  Mr. Witherspoon was born in Manning, South Carolina and attended 
Clarendon County Schools. He is the owner of John Witherspoon 
Carpentry/Cabinet Works Company and has been a master carpenter and 
cabinet maker for over 50 years. Mrs. Witherspoon was born in 
Summerton, South Carolina and graduated from Lincoln High School in 
Sumter, South Carolina. She is retired from the Campbell Soup Company 
but remains active in the community where she is active in School 
District #17's PTA, and is a member of the Christian Women's 
Association of Sumter and the South Sumter Resource Center Senior's 
Club.
  Mr. and Mrs. Witherspoon are active members of the St. John Baptist 
Church. Mr. Witherspoon has been a Deacon for over 45 years and served 
as Chairman of the Deacon Board for 2 years. He served as Sunday School 
Superintendent for over 40 years, Chairperson of the Cemetery 
Committee, and a member of the Senior Choir for over 48 years.
  Mrs. Witherspoon is a Deaconess, she has been President of the 
Missionary Auxiliary for over 10 years and is a member and secretary of 
the St. John Baptist Church Gospel Choir. They are also members of the 
Black River Missionary Baptist Association. Mrs. Witherspoon serves as 
President of the Deacon and Minister's Wives Alliance and is a Board 
Member of the Women's Missionary Auxiliary. Mrs. Witherspoon is 
Chairman of the Sunday School Convention's Board and Treasurer of the 
Deacons and Minister's Wives Alliance. Both John and Dorothy are 1997 
graduates of the South Carolina Baptist Congress of Christian Education 
Teacher Certification program.
  The Witherspoons have four children, twelve grandchildren, and ten 
great-grandchildren. They have remained active in their community 
throughout their marriage. Their dedication to their family and 
community are commendable. Mr. Speaker, I ask you to join me today in 
honoring Mr. and Mrs. Witherspoon as they celebrate their 50th year of 
marriage.

                          ____________________