The Presbyterian Home for Children recently dedicated the board room in the Bell Administration Building as the Witherspoon Board Room, honoring longtime supporters and leaders Newell and Mary Witherspoon for their decades of faithful service to the Home.
The Witherspoon Board Room serves as an important gathering place where decisions are made that shape the future of the ministry. Throughout the year, it hosts meetings of the Home’s Board of Trustees, leadership team gatherings, and community events. During the Christmas season, it also becomes a place of joy and generosity as volunteers organize and wrap gifts for children and families served by the Home.
The naming recognizes a remarkable legacy of leadership. Over the past three decades, Newell and Mary have devoted countless hours to advancing the mission of the Home through their service on the Board of Trustees. During his tenure, Newell served as board treasurer and chaired the Finance Committee, helping provide wise stewardship and financial guidance during important seasons of growth and transition.
Mary also served on the board and worked alongside four Home presidents during her years of leadership as moderator. Together, the couple became passionate ambassadors for the ministry, sharing its story with churches, friends, and supporters throughout the North Alabama Presbytery and beyond.
“We have always been impressed by the dedication of the staff and their commitment to the children and families entrusted to their care,” Mary said. “There has never been a time that the Home hasn’t focused on anything besides the children in their care. The Home has done an outstanding job of meeting the needs of very needy children.”
Their connection to the Presbyterian Church has been a lifelong one. The Witherspoons have faithfully served congregations throughout the Presbytery, most recently at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Huntsville. Their own journey together began many years ago when they met as students at Maryville College in Tennessee.
Today, Newell and Mary, both in their 90s, reside at Kirkwood By the River in Birmingham. While their roles have evolved over the years, their love for the Home and its mission remains as strong as ever.
The dedication of the Witherspoon Board Room serves as a lasting tribute to two individuals whose leadership, generosity, and unwavering commitment have helped ensure that generations of children and families have found hope, healing, and opportunity through the Presbyterian Home for Children.
