Jessie Mae Joyner Witherspoon, 92, was the youngest of six born in Menola, North Carolina, to George and Ruby Joyner.  After graduating from Robert L. Mann High School in Hertford County, NC, she and her sister Lucille moved to Winston Salem, NC, to continue her education at Winston-Salem Business College. Here in Winston-Salem, she met her husband, Robert Lee, and became the mother of Robert, Jr., Alfreda, Melvin, Lucretia, James, and Aquanita. Together, they would share fifty-five years of marriage and be blessed with the births of Bobby, Benita, and Beverly.

Never one to boast or brag, Jessie led a very fulfilling life. She was the director of Nutrition Services at Sunrise Towers, President of the Midway Elementary School PTA, and Unit Secretary at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center. Her dedication to these roles left a lasting impact on the community. She also served as the church secretary for over thirty-five years at Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church, where she was a cherished member and developed lifelong friendships. But above all, her greatest accomplishment was her love and care for her husband and children. Her unwavering, steadfast, and unconditional love will forever live in our hearts.  This same love was extended to her family in Murfreesboro and Ahoskie, NC, where she and Robert Lee would spend holidays, especially Thanksgiving.

Jessie was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Robert Lee; and siblings, John Joyner, David Joyner, Minor Deloch, Daisy Marshall, and Lucille Joyner;  children, Robert Witherspoon, Jr., Alfreda Clawson, Lucretia McNeely (Charles), Melvin Witherspoon, and Aquanita Witherspoon.

To keep her memory alive, she is survived by her children, James Witherspoon, Bobby Witherspoon, Benita Witherspoon (Gregory Rush-fiancé), and Beverly Witherspoon; brother-in-law, Terry Witherspoon; grandchildren, Roderick Witherspoon, Alfonza (Deon) Witherspoon, Melvin Witherspoon, Jewaun Witherspoon, Ahmad R. Witherspoon, Tajha (Steven) Thompson, and Markeya Culbreth; six great-grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends; and her devoted and much-loved niece, Emma Everette.  A special thank you to her caregivers, Lee Arlis Archie and Cora Bryant who affectionately called her "granny-granny-granny", and the staff at Trellis Supportive Care.

A viewing will be held from 1:00pm until 5:00pm Tuesday, July 30, 2024 at Russell Funeral Home.

A service to celebrate Jesie's life will be held at 12noon Wednesday, July 31, 2024, at Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church, located at 1400 Fitch Street, Winston Salem, NC. Following the service, our beloved Jessie will be entombed at Piedmont Memorial Gardens, Winston Salem, NC. The family visitation will be held from 11:00am until 12noon on Wednesday at the Church.

The Witherspoon family acknowledges with heartfelt appreciation every expression of love and sympathy they have received during their time of great loss. God Bless You!