Christopher Witherspoon

Christopher Frederick Witherspoon was born in Huntington, West Virginia, on July 22, 1949. Affectionately known by many as Freddy and Mr. Spoon. He was called home on Thursday, July 17, 2025, just days before his 76th birthday. He grew up in the Hilltop area, where he attended and graduated from West High School. After graduation, he served in the United States Navy. He later attended The Ohio State University, where he studied Psychology.

He loved being a devoted son, brother, father, uncle, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend who enjoyed music, traveling, and reading. He was a self-taught guitarist, and in addition to studying human behavior, he read many books on black history.

He started his career in the automotive industry as a parts clerk. Years later, he was employed by the US Postal Service as a letter carrier and would eventually retire after serving 15 years.

Freddy grew up in the church and knew the word. He believed in a higher power and often attended Providence Baptist Church with his mother in Mansfield, OH.

As a 20+ year colon cancer survivor, he was a fighter even after learning the cancer had vigorously come back. He is preceded in death by his father William L. Witherspoon, brother William A.Witherspoon, maternal grandparents Henry and Georgia Gatewood, paternal grandparents Christopher Witherspoon and Nellie Clay, and a host of aunts and uncles.

He is survived by mother Georgietta McElhannon (neé Gatewood), and daughter Tracey (Ron) Yates; grandchildren Craig Tanner and Charyce Davis; great-grandchildren Harmoni-Marie and Willie Coleman, IV, Martius and Khala Tanner; nephews Sheldon (Erika) Witherspoon, Brian Witherspoon; nieces Cherise and Deborah Witherspoon; sister in-law Marsha (William) Witherspoon, and uncle Bobby Gatewood. He is also survived by numerous other relatives and friends.