Deacon White

In the Beginning â₦ I was born in a small country town on the Sheridan River called Forest Green, Missouri on Tuesday, August 23, 1932. I was the 4th child of Eugene and Corine White. We had a large family that consisted of 12 children (6 boys and 6 girls) â₦ Ella Mae; Eugene Lafayette, Jr., Mary; Levi Eldridge; Idella; Evelyn; Joseph Lee; Matthew Lee; Edna; Acenia; Nicholas Samuel and Donald Earl. We grew up in a 4 room home â₦ the boys had 1 room with several bunk beds; Ella Mae & Mary shared a room and the 2 youngest slept in the family room with our parents. Our kitchen was where the family gathered; we chopped wood to stay warm and the bathroom was located outside (an “outhouse”). Our house was built on bricks and when it rained and the water swelled under the house, we all thought the house was going to be swept away. We traveled by horse and buggy on our excursions to town. Although money was slim (our father worked odd jobs to make ends meet) we always had plenty to eat from the food grown and harvested on our farm â₦ chickens, hoggs, ducks, geese, eggs, and vegetables ~ just no cash money! The Early Years â₦ As long as I can remember I worked â₦ beginning with caring for and looking after my younger brothers and sisters â₦ which included changing diapers, cleaning the home and other tasks. At the age of twelve, I began shining shoes in the town barbershop; working as the “ice man” ~ going to town once per week purchasing and selling ice for the “ice boxes” of the locals (50 pounds of ice would last 1 week). I would make .10 off each .50â₦ a profitable job during that time In the summertime I would cut lawns using a sickle (a short-handled farming tool with a semicircular blade, used for cutting grain, lopping, or trimming). I was willing to work hard at these various jobs for it helped to supplement the income for our family and made it possible for me to be able to purchase a chocolate candy bar at the neighborhood softball games. My goal was to ensure that my sisters and brothers had what they needed, when they needed it. I lovingly took on the role of “caregiver” for my brothers and sisters to include chaperoning them to the various dances held in town. Religion and Education â₦ Our famly attended Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church in Glasgow, Missouri where I gave my life to Christ at an early age. We were devoted members at the Church ~ attending Sunday School and Church Services every Sunday. My brother Donald (Reverend Donald Earl White) is now the Minister of Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church ~ where it all began. My mother’s wish was that all eleven of her children would graduate from high school â₦ her prayers were answered ~ we all graduated. I graduated in 1948 from Evans High School in Glasgow at the age of 16. Employment â₦ When I graduated, I remained in Glasgow working odd jobs. I decided to move to Kansas City, Missouri where I obtained work at General Motors assembling automobiles ~ after 3 years I was laid off. I moved to Des Moines, Iowa to work for Solar Aircraft on general assembly ~ 3 years later the plant closed, and I moved to Denver, Colorado. Des Moines, Iowa was a great place for me. It is there I met Lucille Inez Hayes at a social event. We talked and the next day she called and 1 year later we were engaged to be married. We had many happy times together during my 3 years in Des Moines. After the plant closed, I told Lucille we couldn’t get married until I was prepared financially to take care of a family, most importantly had a job. I left for Denver, Colorado in search of work, yet promised my future wife, I would return for her as soon as possible. Denver, Colorado â₦ The Next Chapter I arrived in Denver, Colorado in 1957 driving a 1955 Chevy. I had no place to live and no job, yet I knew that this was the place for me. After days of searching I was told about a couple who rented rooms in their home. I inquired, was interviewed by the man of the house and after much thought, he allowed me to rent a room in their home. While driving down California Street, I noticed a church named, “Central Baptist”. I decided I would attend services that following Sunday. The choir was exceptional, and the minister was dynamic ~ what we called back home, a “Bible Based Preacher”. A few Sunday’s later I joined Central Baptist Church under the leadership of the Reverend Dr. W. O. Mays, Sr. That was 61 years ago. Reverend Mays and Deacon Tommie Stephens quickly took me under their wings. Deacon Stephens and I developed a close father and son relationship. He quickly became my favorite singer! I had dinner at his home every Sunday and sometimes during the week. Reverend Mays and Deacon Stephens made sure I did not become a “bench member”. I became a Layman, ordained Deacon, served on the Finance Ministry, was the Youth Counselor and was the Deacon assigned to the Youth Choir, Senior Choir and the Male Chorus. In my latter years, I became a member of the Senior Warriors Ministry at Central. I quietly served wherever my talents were needed or requested. Martin Marietta â₦ I was able to obtain work at Martin Marietta as a Toolmaker. I knew I wanted to grow in the company and began taking classes that would generate opportunities for growth. Shortly afterwards I was promoted to a General Machinist. I was asked to serve temporarily as Union Stewart. I accepted this temporary position and was encouraged to submit my name to be considered permanently for this position. I tossed my name in the hat and to my surprise I won the nomination. I began as a Union Steward ~ moved to Vice Chairman of the Bargaining Committee and concluded my 45-year career at Martin Marietta as Chairman of the Bargaining Committee. During my tenure at Martin Marrietta I was most proud of having the opportunity to mentor many young and seasoned employees, introducing them to upward mobility positions, encouraging, inspiring and helping them realize their potential. This realization enabled them to have successful careers within and outside of the organization. I shared my guiding principles ~ faith, family, integrity, humility, dedication, hard work, loyalty to self and others, and remembering to always give back. One of my financial principles was to always save ~ if I made .10 ~ I always put .05 away. I never spent it all. I tried to model the life I talked about. The Lord brought me a long way from delivering ice in Glasgow, Missouri to becoming the Chairman of the Bargaining Committee at Martin Marietta. Our Family â₦ True to my word, I married Lucille Inez Hayes in 1958 at the home of Deacon Tommie and Mrs. Stephens in Denver, Colorado. Lucille and I were married for 56 wonderful years prior to her passing in 2014. We traveled extensively throughout the United States making sure we shared the 4th of July and Christmas with our parents. Lucille and I never “fussed”. My daughter Lana and I were very close and had so much fun down through the years from playing Chinese checkers together to selecting and purchasing her sports car when she turned 16 years of age. Whenever we were together, laughter was in the equation. Lana never gave us any trouble. No matter how busy I was at Martin Marietta, I always made time for my wife and daughter, and was honored to be their ultimate provider. We were blessed and highly favored to have had one another. I loved them both! We had a wonderful loving family! “Lana, know that I loved you with all my heart ~ thank you for caring for me in my latter years.” Upon retirement from Martin Marietta I invested my time into gardening ~ I loved the outdoors and derived great pleasure in manicuring my yard and growing flowers, particularly roses; and I was partial to assisting those in the senior community and others in anyway that I could. I thoroughly enjoyed the hunting adventures that my brothers, nephews and I ventured on yearly. Although I did not hunt, I certainly made jokes about anyone who returned to the cabin “empty handed.” Those memories of time spent together will forever be remembered. I never forgot about my brothers and sisters as our family grew to include numerous nieces and nephews. They were also covered with unconditional love. I shared all that I had with each of them. All they had to do was ask and they got it! To my sister Mary, I thank you for the conversations, laughter, meals and the quiet times we shared after our spouses passed away. You were my big sister, yet you knew that I was always there for you. I loved each one of my brothers and sisters dearly and treasured the times that we shared. “And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them” ~Revelation 14:13 I’ve stepped over to the other side resting from my labors here on earth. I’m not afraid for I have prepared for this day my entire life. I implore you to do the same. I join my parents Eugene and Corine White; my sisters Ella Mae Cason; Evelyn Brown; Edna Prince and Idella White; my brothers Eugene White, Jr., and Reverend Matthew Lee White. I leave behind my beloved daughter, Lana Sue (Grant) Greene, Lafayette, Colorado; my grandson Roman Greene, Aurora, Colorado and my great-grandson Jordan El-Nasser, Lafayette, Colorado; my 2 sisters ~ Mary Moore, Denver, Colorado; Acenia Flowers, Leavenworth, Kansas and my 3 brothers ~ Joseph Lee White, Kansas City, Kansas; Nicholas Samuel (Carol) White, Denver, Colorado and Reverend Donald Earl (Shirley) White, Glasgow Missouri. Many nieces, nephews and extended family to include my Central Baptist Church family. Continue loving and caring for one another, while remaining true to yourself and your values. Until we meet again, Levi

Funeral Home: Pipkin Braswell - 6601 E. Colfax Ave., Denver, CO
Visitation: 8/30/2018 at 4:00 PM - Pipkin Braswell - 6601 E. Colfax Ave., Denver, CO
Service: 8/31/2018 at 11:00 AM - Central Baptist Church - 2400 California Street, Denver, Colorado
Cemetery: 9/4/2018 - Glendale Cemetery - 3500 6th Avenue Des Moines Iowa