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Emanuel “Manny” Witherspoon Jr., 66, of Charlotte, passed away on Friday December 4, 2015 at his residence. He was born on September 15, 1949 in Baltimore Maryland to the late Emanuel Witherspoon Sr., and Sylvia (Selina) Lester.
He graduated from Southern High School and attended a four year ACB Apprenticeship. He enlisted in the Unites States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War and then served in the United States Marine Corps Reserves. He spent thirty years in the sheet metal HVAC trade owning his own business Spoon Heating and Cooling.
Emanuel enjoyed life, dancing and listening to jazz and old school rap. He loved GAMBLING playing the lottery and horse racing. Emanuel was handsome and sure nough a ladies man!
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife, Rachel Lee Witherspoon; a son, Bernard Timothy Witherspoon; and three sisters, Betty Elizabeth Crawford, Patricia Ellen Hearn, and Brenda Birden.
He is survived by a daughter, Hope Hadley McFadden and husband Samuel McFadden of Charlotte; a brother, Reginald Witherspoon; a sister, Cynthia Pearl Gross and husband Jerome Gross; five grandchildren, Raychelle, Ricardo, Raykell, Raschad, Re-von; a great granddaughter, London;and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends.
“I have passed the mountain peak and my soul is soaring in the firmament of complete and unbounded freedom; I am in comfort, I am in peace.” –Kahlil Gibran
A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday December 13, 2015, at 1:00 pm at Montgomery Garden Apartments Community Clubhouse, located at 5235 Garden Terrace Court, just past the intersection of Beatties Ford Rd and Sunset Rd.
Carolina Cremation of Charlotte and Salisbury is assisting the Witherspoon family. Online condolences may be made at www.carolinacremation.com.
Denice Beteta says
December 11, 2015
Uncle Manny – Hero and Family Patriarch
I woke up this morning with a heavy heart, sad that you no longer dwell among the living.
You became the patriarch of the Witherspoon Family and all of its offspring, with the passing of Granddaddy Witherspoon.
I reflect back on the day when you said to me, “I’m thinking about moving to South Carolina. I want to go somewhere more peaceful.” And I asked, “Have you ever considered Charlotte, NC?” Your response was a resounding no. But you came anyway. Little did I know, you choosing to live in Charlotte would bring me such joy.
The times we spent together reminiscing, hanging out, the family gatherings, the deep discussions, sharing our family history and, most of all, you agreeing to be my Urban Ballroom dancing partner, was priceless. And for that I’m grateful — grateful that we had the chance to reconnect after years of separation and grateful to know you more. Well, you did find the peace you were looking for here in Charlotte and a little extra.
Whenever I think of you, I keep hearing Sam Cooke’s song “A Change Is Gonna Come”. The verses “It’s been too hard living but I’m afraid to die, I don’t know what’s up there beyond the sky, it’s been a long, a long time coming but I know change gonna come, oh yes it will…Lord, there been times that I thought I couldn’t last for long, but now I think I’m able to, to carry on”.
I didn’t get to say good bye but we did have the last dance.
In His Love,
Your niece, Wanda Denice Beteta
Of the Hearn Family
Tyeisha Gibson says
Uncle Manuel,
I love you and miss you. Sorry to that you’re no longer here with us but I believe you’re in a better place. We’ve laughed together and cried together and really bonded back in 2012 and I just wish I had more time with you. Love Boobie
Michelle McCracken-Brown says
I was very sad to hear that my Uncle Emanuel had died. He and his wife Rachel were two of my favorite people and a big part of my life growing up in Baltimore. He was my handsome, debonair uncle and she was my fun loving, crazy aunt. We recently re-connected, unfortunately, at my mother’s funeral and with his move to Charlotte. We had a great time at my birthday party, his wit, outgoing personality and 100 watt smile, ever present. We also shared a kinship of service in the Armed Forces, something he was very proud of. I wish we had spent more time together. You always think,” I am going to call or we should get together” but life happens and the days goes by. I’m glad I at least I told him that I loved him and we had happy times together. I’m glad I have photos to sigh over and bring back fond memories. I wish he was given more time on this earth. See you in the wind…..
Clementine DeShields (Tinka) says
Manuel, My long time friend, my brother, and my confidant. On the day of December 4th, I was sad, hurt and heart broken but I then begin to reflect back on the time that he and I reconnected at the South Baltimore Reunion in 2012 after being separated for forty…. years. I thank God for those years that we were able to see one another again through good times and bad times. Even when he left Baltimore to move to Charlotte, N.C. there were not two many days that we did not talk or text. Within the few years we reconnected we learned so much about one another. My God, he love to write, and can carry a conversation. A man of much wisdom and knowledge, if you just listen. When he is talking you had no choice but to listen, he will go on and on. smile (but it was all good). To say all of this: it’s never easy to let go and say a last farewell to someone who has meant much more that any words can tell. Never will be forgotten. Love always! Tinka
A sympathetic stranger says
It is so hard saying goodbye to our beloveds. May God give you the strength needed to carry on during this time of great sadness.
Myra Moorehead says
My sincerest condolence to the family, rely on God he will get you through this and know that Manny is at true peace.
I can reflect on the good times he and I spent together, he enjoyed his life, the man loved having a good time, he loved dancing, playing poker with old friends from back in the day, and our times in Atlantic City, he was like a kid in a candy store, Manny was a people person as well, if he could lend a helping hand he would.
Family our tears will eventually dry up, but just know that Emanuel “Manny Witherspoon Jr. will always remain in our hearts.
Love you all,
Myra Moorehead
Cordelia Hill [birdie] says
To Hope,Reggie and Cindy, With sincere hurt of the passing of Manuel our friend from way back in the 1960 my next door neighbor.our families have lost another fine man but he will always be remember in our memories. I talked to him last year after my husband had pass and he was telling how happy he was so i know that he was okay because he had left Baltimore and my sisters would talk about him when they were at the games together. Emanuel and his big beautiful smile will be missed but not forgotten. God bless you and the family. Take one day at a time, The Hill and Phillips Family
LAMONTE BURLEY says
My sincere condolences The Family as a little boy I spent a lot of time running behind Manuel as we called him,I got back in touch with him a few months ago and it made me feel good he was still the same,A GOD SEND. But I know you as I do one of the Best People I’ve Had The Pleasure To Be Acquainted With,MADE GOD BLESS YOU ALL
Rhonda Bell-Todd says
Uncle Manny, you will be missed, and well always be my R. Kelly, thinking of the many times i cornrowed your hair.
From my mom; Martha Bell, she said you will forever be her brother……
Love and miss you, and our deepest condolences to your family.
Peanut
Sonya(Neice) says
Sonya- Uncle Manuel sorry to see you go so soon. I remember the good times when you used to come get me and bring me to your house. All the good memories of me you and aunt Rachel skating in your basement. I also remember how you use to pick me up and spin me around when I was younger. God only takes who he needs and this was no mistake.
DRU FULTON says
MANNY-MY DEAR FRIEND I MET HIM 2YRS AGO WHEN HE ATTEND HIS DAUGHTER WEDDING SHE MARRIED MY BROTHER,WE MET THAT DAY WHEN I WALK IN THE DOOR HE INTERDUCE HIS SELF WE TALK FROM 6PM TIL MIDNIGHT, REALLY ENJOY HIS CONVERSATION WE CONNECT AND WAS FRIEND TIL THE END,HE WAS A FAMILY MAN HE ALWAYS TALK ABOUT HIS HOUSE IN BALTIMORE HOW HE MISSED DOING WORK AROUND THE HOUSE AND HIS BACKYARD HE LOVE TO SIT OUTSIDE,MANNY TURN HIS LIFE TO CHRIST A YEAR AGO HE WAS SO HAPPY AND AT PEACE, EVERY CONVERSATION WAS ABOUT GOD THIS YEAR I TOLD HIM WHEN I MET U, YOU WAS NOT TALKING LIKE THIS HE SAID TO ME I GOT GOD IN MY HEART AND HE KNOW WHAT GOD HAD DONE FOR HIM HE IS AT PEACE NOW.IT WAS A PLEASURE TO MEET A GREAT INTELLIGENT MAN WITH SO MUCH KNOWLEDGE YOU HAVE TAUGHT ME SO MUCH IN 2YRS, MY HEART IS SO HEAVEY U WILL BE TRULY MISSED, THANKS FOR ALL THE KNOWLEDGE AND GOODTMES, I HAVE ALL THE PICTURES WE TOOK TO LOOK BACK ON YOU WHERE A REAL FRIEND AND WAS HAPPY TO HAVE YOU IN MY FAMILY WE LOVE YOU BUT GOD LOVE YOU BEST,REST ON MANNY TAKE YOUR REST. LOVE YOU I CAN SEE THAT BIG SMILE ON YOUR FACE NOW WITH THAT UNIQUE VOICE.
Curtis & Damon (Tinka sons) says
To Mr. Manuel family, you have our deepest sympathy. We met Mr. Manuel three years ago through our mother. We took likening to him instantly. He was very friendly and respectful. We joked a lot about somethings and we all laughed. We called him Mr. G Q because when he dressed up, always looked very distinguish and he knew it. We will miss him tremendously. So family take care and hold on to all of those wonderful memories of him. To my mother, the two of you became so close like brother and sister, you hold on too, to the laughs, and cries that the two of you had and enjoy the memories when the two of you met after all of those years. Everyone be strong because Mr. Manuel have no more worries. Peace!
Lachelle Kornegay says
When I heard the news that you were gone my heart was very heavy. All I could think about was all the fun I would have being around you and all the laughs we shared. I will miss you Uncle Manny but I know you are flying high above us all looking out for us. I love you and rest easy.
LAWRENCE CLOWNEY says
REST IN PEACE MY CHILDHOOD FRIEND! !IT WAS A PLEASURE BEING IN THE SAME HOOD WITH YOU GROWING UP!!YOU WERE A DEDICATED SERVICE MAN!!!