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Ernest C. Withers: Aug. 7, 1922 - Oct. 15 2007: The indisputable dean of civil rights photography
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Andrew “Rome” Withers and wife Cheri Withers mourn. (Photo by Warren Roseborough)
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For the man who captured an era of wanton violence, racial strife and iconic images of noted African Americans, a send-off of glowing tributes was fitting.
And that is exactly what was given to Ernest C. Withers, the indisputable dean of civil rights photography.
Withers died Oct. 15 following a Sept. 23 stroke. He was 85. His “home going” was an uplifting, albeit lengthy (about four hours) affair.
Nearly 1,000 mourners filed into the service at Pentecostal Temple Institutional Church Of God In Christ. It was crowned with a procession from the church to Beale Street, where a wreath was hung on the door of Withers’ studio at 333 Beale Street.
A solemn crowd stretched along both sides of the world famous street. Onlookers gazed at the string of cars in tow behind The Rudy Williams Band and in tune to “Precious Lord, Take My Hand.” With top hats and derbies, their horns wailed Withers’ passing. He was laid to rest at Elmwood Cemetery.
Ekpe Abioto, a local musician, played the jimbe drum to start the home going. He led the family and others to the front of the church where each member paused before Withers’ bronze casket. He was wearing his trademark, a traditional African kufi. A camera, the tool of his trade, was placed inside.
“We believe death is a fulfillment of life,” said Abioto, who conducted an African libation, a ritual that includes calling a person’s name and pouring water into the ground as part of the remembrance.
“As long as you call a person’s name, the spirit will still be around,” Abioto said. The crowd called out several names, including Ernest Withers Jr., Dryal Withers and Dedrick “Teddy” Withers, who preceded their father in death.
Friends recalled Withers’ humble spirit and his 60-plus years on the battlefield for civil rights. “We thank God for his life and what he shared,” said Memphis Mayor Dr. Willie W. Herenton.
Herenton said he read Withers’ obituary in the New York Times on a recent airplane trip. “They don’t put just anybody’s obituary in the New York Times,” he said.
Standing 6 foot 6, Herenton said he kneeled at Withers’ feet on the day the city of Memphis celebrated the photographer’s 85th birthday in the Hall of Mayors. It was the last such public outing for Withers.
Rev. Samuel “Billy” Kyles, pastor of Monumental Baptist Church, recalled Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination and Withers’ refusal to take a photograph during the autopsy and before Dr. King’s body was prepared for public viewing at the funeral home.
“He waited until he was fully dressed,” said Kyles. “He was a special person. He was a man of integrity.”
Each speaker recalled Withers’ wisdom, gratuity, advice and how much he loved Dorothy Withers, his wife of 65 years. John Elkington, Beale Street’s landlord, said he loved Withers, too.
“He was my friend,” said Elkington, who assured there would be a Withers’ gallery always on Beale Street.
While Withers spent much of his life looking through a camera’s eye, his granddaughter, Aisha Withers-Mitchell, said her grandfather saw the world through his grandchildren’s eyes.
“When we watched cartoons, he watched cartoons. When we were on the floor, he was on the floor. There is no one else like him.”
Withers-Mitchell said as a child she didn’t know the magnitude of her grandfather’s celebrity. He just took pictures, she thought.
Rev. Neasbie Alston said Withers’ influence helped him get elected to the pastorship of Gospel Temple Baptist Church. He served as Withers’ pastor for 45 years and delivered his eulogy.
For 15 minutes, Rev. Alston punctuated what others had said about Withers: “He gave his life doing what he loved best. Somebody said it couldn’t be done – but he did it.”
Rev. Alston recalled how Withers fed eight children on a freelancer’s pittance. “How are you going to raise a family with a camera?” he asked.
Withers’ grown children, Alston pointed out, were proof it could be done.
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A final salute to a famed photographer. (Photo by Warren Roseborough)
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Eye on the prize
Ernest C. Withers left a prized collection of negatives and photographs. A few years ago, the Ernest C. Withers Foundation was established to archive the famed photographer’s extensive collection and to preserve his legacy.
Joshua “Billy” Withers is the foundation president and Andrew “Rome” Withers is the executive director. The brothers are committed to turning a new page in history to keep their father’s legacy alive and his collection intact.
After a series of solo exhibitions, books, and lectures at colleges and universities, Withers’ career was finally launched on the national and international level.
Tony Decaneas, owner of Panopticon Gallery in Boston, Mass., was at the forefront of Withers’ meteoric career.
“When I think about Ernest, dignity, pride and loving kindness comes to mind,” said Decaneas. “He had the distinguished ability to recognize what was happening around him.”
Decaneas created a collection of signed prints from some of Withers’ noted civil rights-era photographs. He said they would sell until the lot is depleted.
“My concern is that it (Withers’ collection) be preserved through the family or an acquisition through a nonprofit,” said Decaneas, who wasn’t sure if he would reprint several books that are currently out of print on Withers.
“I will reprint the books if it’s the desire of the family,” he said. “I have a commitment to Ernest to take care of the family – and I’ll do that.”
Proceeds can be sent to the Ernest C. Withers Sr. Historical Photographic Foundation at P.O. Box 152, Memphis, Tenn. 38101. For more information, call (901) 785-1743.
| The Withers family. (Photo by Warren Roseborough_
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| Mrs. Dorothy Withers receives a word of support. (Photo by Warren Roseborough)
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| Pallbearers escort the flag-draped casket carrying Mr. Withers’ body. (Photo by Warren Roseborough
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| The funeral procession down Beale Street. (Photo by Warren Roseborough)
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| The Rudy Williams Band played “Precious Lord, Take My Hand.” Photo by Warren Roseborough
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| A flower for Mrs. Withers at Historic Elmwood Cemetery. (Photo by Mila Shaw)
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| Ekpe Abioto, a local musician, played the jimbe drum to start the home going. (Photo by Warren Roseborough)
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| Mayor Willie W. Herenton said, “They don’t put just anybody’s obituary in the New York Times,” (Photo by Warren Roseborough)
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| Aisha Withers-Mitchell said as a child she didn’t know the magnitude of her grandfather’s celebrity. (Photo by Warren Roseborough)
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| Minister Suhkara Yahweh. (Photo by Warren Roseborough)
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| A poem by Michael Antonio Alexander. (Photo by Warren Roseborough)
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| Mickey Gregory blows a salute to Mr. Withers. (Photo by Warren Roseborough)
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| Capt. Jerry Williams recalls Mr. Withers’ courage. (Photo by Warren Roseborough)
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| Andrew “Rome” Withers and Joshua “Billy” Withers. (Photo by Warren Roseborough)
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| Mrs. Dorothy is escorted from Pentecostal Temple Institutional Church Of God In Christ. (Photo by Warren Roseborough)
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| Tony Decaneas, owner of Panopticon Gallery in Boston, Mass., was at the forefront of Withers’ meteoric career. (Photo by Warren Roseborough)
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