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Birmingham--Birmingham City Council President Pro Tem Miriam Witherspoon is dead. She became ill Monday night, and family friend Municipal Court Judge Brendette Brown-Green took her to St. Vincents Hospital emergency room. Witherspoon died there this morning. At a press conference this afternoon, Brown-Green said Witherspoon spent her last moments in service to the citizens of Birmingham.

Note: Audio courtesy of Fox 6

Witherspoon was a passionate advocate for disability rights during her time in city government. Her dedication to the issue came after a 1988 car accident that left her confined to a wheelchair. Jeff Underwood is president of the Lakeshore Foundation, an organization committed to helping people with physical disabilities.

Witherspoon was elected in 2005 and was finishing up her first term on the council.

~ Bradley George, April 21, 2009.