Our beloved, Harriet Laverne Witherspoon went home to be with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Tuesday December 5, 2023 after a short bout with cancer. While we will miss her greatly, we are thankful that God blessed Harriet to celebrate 84 years of life. She passed away peacefully in her home.

Harriet was born to Maurice Euvelle Brooks Senior and St. Claire Robinson Brooks on August 15, 1939. Her father lovingly called her Redbird, a Cherokee name paying homage to their American Indian roots. Harriet began her life in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where she lived a joyous childhood with her siblings. The family moved to Cleveland, Ohio and began attending religious services at New Home Baptist Church. At the age of 8, Harriet had a divine calling to accept salvation through Jesus Christ and was baptized. Her faith and service to our Lord and Savior continued throughout her life. Harriet was dedicated to the love, care, and service of others.

During her senior year at John Adams High School, she met Donald Peter Witherspoon. They were enamored with one another. Soon after graduation on January 27, 1958, they were united in marriage. She was a devoted and dedicated wife. It was through this joyous union that she was blessed with her four endearing sons, Maurice James, Donald Lamel, Eric Lamont, and Jason Lavel Witherspoon.

A loyal servant to God, she was passionate about sharing her love of our Lord and Savior. She moved on from New Home Church to worship at Lee-Seville Baptist Church. At Lee-Seville she participated in various committees and was an integral part of the church community. Harriet spent countless hours dedicated to visiting the sick and shut-in, as well as caring for her family.

After obtaining her nursing degree, she began her career as an RN at St. Luke’s Hospital. It was because of her love of the Lord and a desire to help others, that she was able to utilize her nursing skills to enrich the lives of her patients and family. With her skills and knowledge of the healthcare industry Harriet went on to open, own, and operate a Senior Living Home while still working at the Cleveland Clinic. After her retirement, she became a full-time caregiver for her sisters.

Now that Harriet has passed into the arms of our Lord, we should remind ourselves that while this is the end of her physical life on Earth, it’s the beginning of an eternal and beautiful journey for everlasting life with Jesus Christ in heaven.

Preceding her in death was her husband Donald Peter Witherspoon, parents Maurice Euvelle Senior and St. Claire Robinson Brooks, her brother Maurice Euvelle Brooks Jr, her youngest son Jason Lavelle Witherspoon, and other family members who have already passed onto Heaven.

Harriet is survived by many loving family members, including her sons Maurice James Witherspoon (Arnitha), Don Lamel Witherspoon, Eric Lamont Witherspoon (Rhonda), grandchildren Donte, Erica, Eric Laronn, Ariel, and Marissa Witherspoon, along with her niece Crystal Brooks Davis and nephews, Maurice Euvelle Brooks III, Kriston Cobb (Devona), cousin Cynthia Bryant (Arthur) and family, along with a whole host of great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.