WILMA LAURA WITHERSPOON

Wilma Laura Witherspoon, age 86, a resident of Fort Scott, died Sunday, Jan. 9, 2011, at the Mercy Health Center.

She was born Dec. 14, 1924, in Fort Scott, Kan., the daughter of William Aaron Swank and Mabel Clare Allison Swank.

She married Thomas A. Witherspoon on Sept. 19, 1946, in Fort Scott. He preceded her in death in 2001.

Wilma worked in the claims department and coding department of Western Insurance Company during her 22 years of employment.

She served as Council member of the Old Fort Genealogical Society since 1981 and as librarian for the Society for eight years.

She was a member First Church of the Nazarene where she served as Sunday school teacher and a church board member.

Surviving is one sister, Virginia Lea Brown of Fort Scott.

In addition to her husband Tom, she was preceded in death by her parents; five brothers, infants Howard and Ralph Swank, Lawrence Swank, Robert Swank, Wayne Swank, and two sisters, infant Winnie Swank, and Lillian Swank.

Pastor Scott Moore will conduct funeral services for Wilma Witherspoon at 10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 13, 2011, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Memorials are suggested to either the Old Fort Genealogical Society or the Oak Grove Cemetery Association and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Fort Scott, Kan., 66701.

Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.