Obituary of Janie A Witherspoon

Life Story Psalm 125:1 states, “They that trust in the Lord shall be as Mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth forever.” This verse reflects Janie Witherspoon‘s life and unwavering trust in our Lord and Savior. She had complete faith in Him and knew she would live with Him forever. Janie Alfare Witherspoon was born in Kingstree, South Carolina, and her family surrounded her as she entered the world. She arrived on July 21, 1922, to parents John Witherspoon, Sr., and Beulah Sarah Montgomery. Fondly known as Sugar Plum, she was part of a loving family of six. Sugar Plum grew up on her father's side, the Witherspoon family, in the Low Country of South Carolina. This environment shaped her beautiful, melodic Gullah accent, which carried the influences of the West African accents of her father and grandfather. At a very young age, Janie's father, John, passed away, leaving her mother, Beulah, a widow and the sole provider for the family. Beulah went to work to earn money while the children stayed with their maternal grandmother. During this time, little Sugar Plum and her brother John, affectionately known as Bay, took on jobs to help support the family. Before starting school at the age or 7 or 8, Janie would clean a woman's house to earn money for her siblings. Even then, she displayed a strong work ethic and a desire to make life easier for her family. After a time, Beulah returned to collect her baby son, Joseph Witherspoon (Duke), John Witherspoon Jr., and Janie to live with her, along with her older sister, Sarah Alice Witherspoon (known as Kid). Sugar Plum accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior when she was young, placing her complete trust in God with all her heart and understanding. She sang with her cousins in the choir at St. John’s Baptist Church, the family church in South Carolina. They also participated in choir competitions and won several throughout the county. Janie loved discussing and serving God, always sharing messages about His love and goodness. She believed that if you trust in Him, everything will be alright. On April 9, 1942, Janie and Louis Washington welcomed a beautiful baby girl named Dorothy May Witherspoon. For a brief time, they raised her together. However, when Dorothy turned two years old, Janie, also known as Sugar Plum, decided to move to New York in search of a better life, leaving Dorothy with her mother, Beulah.  Once in New York, Janie enrolled in school to become a certified seamstress. After earning her certification, she found work at a clothing factory, where she made garments. Janie also became an active member of the union. Over her 19 years at the factory, she took pride in her work as a union member, contributing to the production of American-made garments during wartime and peacetime. Sugar was a member of Bethany Baptist Church in Brooklyn, NJ. She loved being a part of this church. There she sang in the choir and served in the food ministry. She was also a caterer known for her professionalism in table settings, dinner menus, pies, and cakes.  In the 1980s, Sugar Plum relocated to New Jersey at her daughter's request to be closer to her family. Dorothy, a real estate agent, assisted Sugar Plum in finding her new home in Camden, New Jersey. She happily cultivated plants, fruits, and vegetables in her backyard, which was her favorite activity. In Camden, she worked for Rutgers University's childcare center and the food service departments of the YWCA, providing healthy and delicious meals to children. Additionally, she was employed by a Companion Company, assisting the sick and homebound. Janie also opened her home as a meeting place for the 4-H Club in Camden, which Gloria Bivins and Dorothy Cade led. She was a dedicated foster parent who opened her home to those in need. Later, she established a daycare that provided meals and a safe environment for everyone seeking assistance. Most importantly, she served as a mentor to women and families in the community, always available to lend a shoulder to lean on and an ear to listen to when their hearts felt heavy and hopeless. At the end of every conversation, Sugarplum would say, "As long as you did your best, leave the rest to God. Trust in the Lord, and everything will be alright." Her open door, open heart, open home, and open arms were a testament to her commitment to serving God. Sugar Plum joined Mt. Calvary Baptist Missionary Church after being introduced by her sister/cousin, Alberta McFadden. She was actively involved in Sunday School and the Food Ministry and served on the Flower Club Committee. Each week, she either rode in the church van or found a ride to hear the Word of God. Additionally, she brought her great-grandsons to Sunday School and church services. As the years went by and Sugar Plum needed a little more assistance, she moved in with Dorothy and her son-in-love, Walter R. Cade, Jr. During her stay, Sugar Plum and Walter became quite the pair. They would argue about the yard and the flowers, only to laugh later when they saw how beautiful the yard turned out. Walt loved his second mom, and she cherished her only son. In the mornings and at night, Janie would read her worn Bible before starting her day and before going to bed, always ending with a prayer to keep the Word in her heart. Truly, she recognized how God provided for her. On Sunday, June 22, 2025, at her home in the Barclays Senior Living Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center, she was surrounded by her family as she smiled and accepted the call of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, to go home and reunite with her loved ones in heaven. She heard her Savior say, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” Sugarplum leaves to cherish her memory, her granddaughter, Felicia Cade-Turner, grandson, Walter R. Cade, III, and grandson in love, Darryl Turner, Jr.; her cherished, great-grandsons, Darryl Turner, III, and Mark R. Turner. Nieces include Sandra Wilkinson Williams (Thomas Williams, Sr.), Terry Wilkinson, Cynthia Witherspoon Bell (Ralph Edward Bell), Veronica Witherspoon, Deborah Witherspoon, Wanda Witherspoon-Johnson (Dr Keith Johnson), and Kimberly Witherspoon-Paige (Barrington Paige). Nephews, Tracey Wilkinson (Colette Horne-Wilkinson), and Joseph Witherspoon, Jr. Also, a host of nieces and nephews from her older brothers, Uriah Brown and Alan Witherspoon. A special goddaughter, Dawn Pittman, and friends Judy Dodd and Janet Smith.  Pre-deceased is her beloved daughter, Dorothy May Cade; son-in-love, Walter R. Cade, Jr.; mother, Beulah Sarah Montgomery Witherspoon; sister, Sarah Alice Montgomery Wilkinson; brothers, John Witherspoon, Jr., and Joseph Witherspoon, Sr. Janie Alfare Witherspoon lived a life filled with love and blessings for 102 years. On July 21st, she would have celebrated her 103rd birthday. Instead, she will rejoice in heaven, worshiping our God and Savior alongside her family. She will be deeply missed, but we take comfort in knowing that we will see her again, in due time.