Deacon Ernest Witherspoon Obituary
We announce the death of Deacon Ernest Witherspoon (Lancaster, South Carolina), who passed away on September 6, 2026, at the age of 78. Deacon will be remembered by family members, friends, and others whose lives were connected in meaningful ways. Family and friends are welcome to send flowers or leave their condolences on this memorial page and share them with the family.
He was loved and cherished by many people including: his parents, Wardlaw Thompson and Bessie Wright; his adoptive father Isaac (Viola Gaither Witherspoon); his wife Laura L. Drakeford; his sons, Derrick Leon Drakeford (Angel) of Jacksonville, Florida, Mwanza Nkeim Drakeford of Kershaw and Ernest Shomari (Retha); his sister Cora Burnette (Willie) of Buffalo; his grandchildren, Patrick, Brittany, Ryan, Taimyr, Sydney, Braiden, Shomari Jr. (SJ), Reagan and Easton; his nieces, Beluah Mae Mickle of Camden, Teresa Jones (James) of Dallas and Elaine Miller of Camden; Grayson and Logan.
Visitation was held on Saturday, September 12th 2026 from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM at the Crawford Funeral Home (410 W Meeting St, Lancaster, SC 29720). A funeral service was held on Sunday, September 13th 2026 at 1:00 PM at the Second Calvary Baptist Church (6676 Flat Rock Rd, Heath Springs, SC 29058).
