Ella Allen Witherspoon

Ella Raye Allen Witherspoon, 97, former long-time resident of Cayce Lane in Columbia, passed away Saturday, April 6, 2013 in Knoxville. The family will visit with friends Wednesday from 12:00 Noon to 2:00 p.m. at Oakes & Nichols concluding with a Celebration of her life at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. DeWayne Crumley and Ms. Marquita Thomas officiating. Burial will follow in Mt. Nebo Cemetery. Notes of condolence may be extended at oakesandnichols.com. Born in Daisy, Oklahoma, she was the daughter of the late Anderson H. Allen and Maude Shores Allen and moved to Columbia to make her home in 1939. She married Kenneth Carter Witherspoon that same year. Their sixty-year marriage ended with his death January 22, 1999. During World War II, at the time her husband was serving in the U. S. Army in Germany, she moved to San Francisco, California to help with the war effort by working in a shipyard. At war's end, they returned to Maury County to re-establish their home. She was a member of Cross Bridges Baptist Church and former member of Viola Baptist Church where she and Mr. Witherspoon taught Sunday School for many years. Mrs. Witherspoon was well-known as an excellent cook and was an avid gardener. Most importantly, she was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Survivors include daughters and sons-in-law, Linda and Reggie Law of Cleveland and Barbara and Jimmie Comeaux of Knoxville; grandchildren, Shelly (Darrell) Potter, Linley (fiancée Eric Neff) Law, Jeffrey Allen Comeaux; great-grandson, Carter Allen Burnett; sister and brother-in-law, Evelyn and Wesley Tidmore of Oklahoma; sister-in-law, Lenna Hines of Columbia; several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Oleta Witherspoon in 1941; six sisters, and a brother. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers.