Norma Cofer Witherspoon, of Signal Mountain, passed away on March 22, 2024, at home, surrounded by her family.
She was predeceased by her husband of 46 years, John K. Witherspoon, Jr., her parents, Gilbert Milton and Pauline Cly Cofer, infant sister, Anna, and special friend, David C. Friberg.
A native North Carolinian, Mrs. Witherspoon was a ‘three-sport’s-letter’ graduate of Richard J. Reynolds High School in Winston-Salem, N.C. She attended the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (Woman’s College) where she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in art and was named an Outstanding Senior graduate. She remained involved in the Woman’s College Class of ‘55’s participation in its many-faceted support of the university.
As an advocate of the public school system, Mrs. Witherspoon was active in the various support organizations of the elementary, junior high, and high schools attended by her children. She remained an enthusiastic supporter of the development of Signal Mountain Middle/High School. In 1976 she was awarded an honorary life membership by the Tennessee Congress of Parents and Teachers; and in 1983 was recognized by the Hamilton County Education Association with a Service to Public Education Award. In the public domain she also served on several Signal Mountain town committees, the last being the board of the Mountain Arts Community Center. She enthusiastically supported the development of the MACC’s Summer String Camp, later known as the Signal Mountain Music Festival and helped initiate the MACC Fund of the Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga, Inc.
From an early age her love of writing coupled with the ability to see humor in people, places and situations created in her a life of smiles and laughter that resulted in three published books: “O College Dear to You”—co-cartoonist T. Boerner; The Wonder of It All (A Guide to Dating for the Very Adult); and Rust-Proofing the Golden Years (The Privilege of Age).
Mrs. Witherspoon was an active member of Second Presbyterian Church having served multiple terms as Deacon, Elder, Clerk of Session, and church Archivist. She was named Presbyterian Woman of the year in 2007. She also remained a non-resident member of Home Moravian Church in Winston-Salem, N.C.
She is survived by her brother, Gilbert M. Cofer, Jr., wife Ellen, Harrisburg, NC; six children and their spouses: Dr. Laura E. Witherspoon (Dr. David Head), Signal Mountain, TN; Alice W. Jump (Stuart), Rabun Gap, GA; Mark A. Witherspoon (Janell), Melbourne, FL; Eric A. Witherspoon (Nancy), Signal Mountain, TN; Cary W. Maycock (Joel), Greensboro, NC; D. Clay Witherspoon (Catherine), Tampa, FL; and fifteen grandchildren: Philip, Eric T., Kate, Mary, Samuel, Hugh, Charlotte, and John Knox, III Witherspoon; Scott and Allison Head; Natalie and Graham Jump; Aidan, Alexandra, and Julian Maycock; brother-in-law E. Newell Witherspoon and wife, Mary, Birmingham, Alabama; nephews, Jesse Cofer, Dr. Edward Witherspoon, and John Witherspoon; nieces, Ann Jones and Joan Norris.
Visitation will be held at Second Presbyterian Church, 700 Pine Street, Chattanooga on April 18, 2024, from 10 a.m. until noon. A memorial service will follow at noon with the Reverend Cathy Meyer officiating.
Donations in her memory may be made to: Second Presbyterian Church (the Organ Fund), UNCG Class of ‘55 Merit Scholarship Fund, Chatt Foundation, Partnership for Families, Children and Adults, or the AIM Center.
“Remember me with smiles and laughter for that is how I think of you. If you can only remember me with tears, don’t remember me at all.” Patricia Neal, a character on—Little House On the Prairie.