Patricia Medlin Witherspoon

Patricia Medlin Witherspoon passed away unexpectedly on July 23, 2025, at the age of 89. She was born on November 29, 1935, in Huntsville, Alabama, to the late Joseph and Elizabeth (Dorris) Medlin. Pat spent most of her childhood and teen years in Owensboro, Kentucky, growing up near Chautauqua Park, with her sisters, Betty and Cicily, and brother, Joe. An exceptional athlete nearly her whole life (last summer, she still played an occasional round of golf!), Pat learned to play tennis at an early age and played competitively and then recreationally for years. She graduated from Owensboro High School where she was on the tennis team and the cheerleading squad, as well as being an excellent student. She kept up with several of her friends from OHS to this day.

She met Tommy Witherspoon while he played basketball for Kentucky Wesleyan College, and they married in 1953. Tom was drafted into the U.S. Navy in 1955, and he and Pat lived in Waukegan (IL) and Camp LaJeune (NC) during his time in the service. Their son, Barry, was born during that time, followed by a daughter, Debbie, and another son, Bryan, after the family returned to Owensboro. Pat was deeply committed to her family, supporting and encouraging them to reach their greatest potential. She attended their sports competitions, worked behind the scenes at special events, chaperoned dances, sewed uniforms, coached softball teams—anything her children involved themselves in, she was their biggest supporter.

A creative and loving teacher, she taught Kindergarten at Riverside Presbyterian Church and then Preschool at Settle Memorial UMC, along with her mom and sister for many years.

Pat lived a life of service—as a long-time member of Yellow Creek Baptist Church, she began teaching adult Sunday School after her children were older and continued until just before her death. The ladies in her Sunday School class brought her great joy, and she diligently prepared for each week’s lesson. She also sang in the choir, led women’s groups, served on multiple committees, helped run the church softball league, and went on mission trips to disadvantaged communities.

More than any of the above, Pat loved our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

She was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Tom Witherspoon, and survived by her sons Barry (Alisa) and Bryan (Carla), and daughter Debbie (David); grandchildren Haley (Nick), Alex, Allie, Gabrielle (Lachlan), Bridget, Elliot, Rachel, and Gavin; great-grandchildren Kara and Conner; and many nieces and nephews.

The funeral service for Patricia Witherspoon will be at 1:00 pm on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at Yellow Creek Baptist Church. Visitation will be from 11:00 am until the time of the service at the church. Burial will follow at Yellow Creek Baptist Church Cemetery.

Care entrusted to Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory.

Messages and condolences to the family can be shared at www.glenncares.com.