Mark Witherspoon

A service celebrating the life of Mark Samuel "Spoon" Witherspoon will be held on Saturday, December 18 at 2 PM in the Chapel of Rader Funeral Home of Longview. Mausoleum entombment will follow in Rosewood Mausoleum. The family will receive friends Friday evening from 6-8 PM at the funeral home. Mark was born on February 10th, 1958, in Norco, California to Myrta and Robert Witherspoon. Mark lived a very fulfilled and happy life along with siblings Kelli, Jodi, and Toby Witherspoon. Constantly travelling across the United States with his family due to his father's active Air Force service. Mark lived in various places, including Alaska, Louisiana, California, Maine, and finally settled in Texas in 1974. He graduated from Pine Tree High School in 1976. Mark began his career while in high school working for Bill's Pawn Shop in Longview. He knew from the very beginning that's what he wanted to do with his life. Finally, in 1979, he took ownership of what is today known as A&W Pawn Shop. A friend to customers, family, community leaders, and the community in general, He was always willing to help out others when they needed a helping hand. He greatly cared for his customers. Mark was known for his fair business practices, willingness to work with his customers, great deals, and constant smiling and laughing demeanor. He thoroughly enjoyed life, laughter, family, friends and fun. Always's known to be a happy and energetic person, Mark brought joy into the literally hundreds of lives he touched on a daily basis. He was well liked, fair, and honest businessman, a fantastic husband, brother, son, father, and most importantly a great friend. Mark left this physical world to be with the Lord, after a yearlong battle with cancer, on Friday, December 10th, 2010 at 9:03 PM. After a year filled with pain, treatments, surgeries, and heartache, Mark was finally able to rest in peace. He was preceded in death by his sister, Kelli Milkeric, and his father, Robert Witherspoon. Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Debbie Witherspoon; his son, Austin Witherspoon; his brother, Toby Witherspoon; his sister, Jodi Ayers; his mother, Myrta Ayers; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, Aunts and Uncles. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and loyal customers. The family request that memorial donations be made to MD Anderson Cancer Research Center Sarcoma Unit. A memorial guestbook may be signed online at www.raderfh.com.

Mark Witherspoon

February 10, 1958 - December 10, 2010