Beth Baxter White, 88, of Fayetteville, Tennessee, formerly of Huntsville and Florence, Alabama, passed into the arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Tuesday, March 18, 2014, at the home of her son and daughter-in-law, Charles and Peggy White, with whom she lived for the past 9 years. The visitation for family and friends is from 11:00 until 12:30 P.M. on Saturday, March 22, 2014, at Elkins Funeral Home on Hermitage Dr. in Florence, Alabama. A grave-side service officiated by Pastor David England will be conducted at 1:00 P.M. Saturday at Florence City Cemetery in Florence, Alabama.
Born July 11, 1925, in Florence, Alabama, she is predeceased by her parents, Charles Edward Baxter and Nadine Blair Baxter of Florence, Alabama, her only sibling, Nadine Fulmer of Florence, Alabama, and her husband of 49 years, Dr. Robert B. White of Huntsville, Alabama.
In 1942, at 16, she graduated from Coffee High school in Florence, Alabama. During World War II she worked at the nuclear facility at Oak Ridge, Tennessee. While there and needing some dental work done, she ended up in the office of Dr. Robert B. White. Six months later the two were married in the home of a Justice of the Peace on May 10, 1946.
Married for 49 years, Beth and Bob (who happened to be Huntsville’s first orthodontist) raised their 5 children, Frances, Bob Jr., Charles, Pam, and John over the years in Huntsville, Alabama. Known for her passion for entertaining and her gift of hospitality, Beth made certain her home was always open to anyone and everyone. The White house on 430 McClung Ave. was a second home for many a teenager and weary friend.
Possessing an uncommon beauty, a keen wit, and a delightful sense of humor, Beth was a masterful storyteller and always left one laughing and wanting more of her company. She was generous to a fault and would give you the shirt off her back and probably a sack of her delicious homemade oatmeal raisin nut cookies to boot.
Becoming a woman of faith, she was gracious, compassionate, non-judgmental, and always forgiving. Beth willingly gave to her family and friends and her beloved church. She was the heart of the White family. Truly all “her children rise up and call her blessed”. Proverbs 31:28
Her surviving family members mainly include five children and spouses: Frances White (Walter) Phillips, Bob (Cathy) White, Charles (Peggy) White, Pamela White Daniels, and John (Jackie) White; one niece: Amy Fulmer of Florence, Alabama; 19 grandchildren and spouses: Beth Phillips, Walt (Laurissa) Phillips, Hannah (Sean) Black, Robert (Molly) White, Leah (Evan) Crouse, Rebecca White, Matthew (Linden) White, Katie (Caleb) Wiles, Benjamin White, Blair Daniels, William Daniels, Henry Daniels, Leigh Few Howard, Aleesha (Jamie) Crow, John B White, Jeffrey White, Mary Leigh (Bradley) Gillespie , Kathryn (Lenny) Luton, and Jacob Grissom; 20 great grandchildren: Ivy and Kai Borden, Walter Phillips V (Quinn), Aiden, Noah, and Grace Black, Charlotte Avery Crouse, Charlie Anne Wiles, Lily and Hannah Bolton, Tyler, Bailey, and Noah Scoggins and Cason Howard, Evie and Aaron Crow, Mary McCarley and Jack Gillespie, and Brett Thomas Luton; four grand nieces: Manning, Susie, Gennie and Molly Blair all originally of Florence, Alabama; and one great nephew: Ben Johnson formerly of Greenville, Tennessee.
Honorary Pall Bearers are her grandsons: Walt Phillips, Matt and Ben White, Robert White, William and Henry Daniels, Tyler and Bailey Scoggins, John and Jeffrey White and Jacob Grissom.
The family is deeply grateful for the outpouring of love, prayers, and support given by so many during Beth’s lengthy illness. A special thank you to the Hospice staff, especially Mary Frances Jones, who was such a help and great blessing to Beth and her family during this time.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any memorials be made to Beth’s beloved church fellowship, First Baptist Church of Taft. The address is P.O. Box 65,
1377 Ardmore HWY, Taft, TN 38488.
