Tia White

Tia Nicole Henton White was born on May 17, 1977 in Denver, Colorado to Ricki and Claude Henton. She was the second of three children and was raised with her siblings Melanie Henton and Christian Henton.

Tia grew up in Northeast Denver in a subdivision named Montbello, where she attended Denver Public Schools for elementary and middle school, however, attend Montbello High School and completed high school at C.H.A.N.G.E. Christian Academy a private Christian school. As a child Tia was always full of energy and she brought happiness and joy wherever she went. During those years Tia and her family joined and attended church services at First Christian Assembly (FCA) of God in Montbello where Tia accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior and was baptized.

As a teenager, Tia was an active member of the Youth Group at FCA and they introduced her to the world of travel and she went on a missions' trip to Chihuahua, Mexico with her then Youth Pastor's Ronald and Pamela Frierson. During this trip Tia spent a good deal of her time interacting with the residents, she performed in a play and took every opportunity to pray for some who needed healing and some for salvation for those who were ready to accept Jesus into their hearts. The purpose of the tip was for Tia to help other, however, it became an revealing experience that opened her heart to needs and suffering of others, ignited a fire in her to fight harder for the underdog and was a true culture shock that made her appreciate what God had done and already given to her in her life. Tia was also afforded the opportunity, as her Senior Year trip, to travel to Rome Italy with her then teacher Kathy Nunn. The combination of events on these trips awakened Tia's desire and love to travel and explore new places and meet new people.

While Tia was developing into the young woman, she was called by God to be, she also was using and developing her gift of singing and she had a beautiful singing voice. Throughout her singing career she as a member of several church choirs, she sang with friends at different church activities and programs, a member of VOICES of Faith Choir and was a huge fan of karaoke. During these singing opportunities, Tia acquired and maintained lifelong friends that she loved and cherished. Tia had very few acquaintances because she valued the relationships and she wanted them each to feel accepted and special. Tia had an ability to share love freely and wasn't shy or embarrassed to say it to the person out loud or in a crowd. She was genuine, open and fierce. Tia was one of a kind in her ability to really have numerous "best" friends and many of those she endeared and considered "sisters".

Soon after high school Tia married Ben LaShawn White and to that union three children were born; Ariana Dominique Tamara White of Aurora, Colorado; Michael LaShawn White of Denver, Colorado; and Promise Denise Leanne White of Aurora, Colorado. Tia treasured her children and considered them her precious jewels and when her grandchildren were born Messiah (Ariana), Kayana (Michael) and Amia (Promise) she believed she had began living her best life as she looked forward the fourth grandson (Ariana) being born in the Fall of this year.

Tia held many work positions throughout her working career but it wasn't until she found SEIU Local 105 that she was truly happy with her work. She didn't consider SEIU to be just a job to her it was Ministry. Tia's faith taught her to do everything as unto the Lord and this is how she approached life, her children and her family each day. SEIU afforded her the opportunity to work within her faith/personality/ministry and speak for the underdog, stand up to the bullies and give a voice to voiceless not be silenced. Tia was a leader, a mentor and a champion for others rights as she believed that prejudice and oppression must be stopped. Tia shared with her family on many occasions how she felt blessed to go to work, being able to pray and share scripture with her co-workers and come home feeling as though she had accomplished ground in the fight of human rights. As a union organizer she was able to use her gifts and talents from God that afforded her the perfect job, a good wage and the ability to support her family while doing something she loved.

Tia went to meet the Lord on July 18, 2019. She was preceded in death by her Grandmothers - Janet Herrington (Sam Herrington) and Willa Malone. Her memory will be cherished by her parents Ricki and Claude Henton, her children Ariana White, Michael White and Promise White; grandchildren Messiah, Amia and Kayana; siblings Melanie Henton and Christian Henton (Candi) all of Denver, Colorado. Tia will also be missed but forever cherished by a host of family and friends.

Memorial Service : August 3, 2019 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm

Friendship Baptist Church of Christ Jesus
880 Fairfax Street
Denver, CO 80220

Reception : August 3, 2019 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm

Friendship Baptist Church of Christ Jesus
880 Fairfax Street
Denver, CO 80220