Mary Jean White

October 27, 1924 – January 25, 2024

Mary Jean (Graham) White was born in Masontown, West Virginia, to Otis Perry Graham and Cora Bina (Cale) Graham both of Pleasant Valley West Virginia. Mary was preceded in death by her husband (of 49 years) Eugene S. White. She was also preceded in death by her sister Glenna Ashburn, her brothers Ansel Graham and Otis Perry Graham, her son Frederick Perry White, and a great grandson, Henry Graham White. Mary Jean is survived by her Daughter, Carole Genette White Myrick (Bruce) and her son John Graham White (Cathy). Daughter-in-law, Sarah Ella White. Grandchildren include Melissa Barrow Kirtley, Otiga Habembe Ogubi, Nekessa Ogubi Thongteum, Joshua Graham White, Sarah White Watters, and Britaney White. Mary is also survived by 11 great grandchildren.

Friends are welcome for visitation from 9:00 to 9:30 AM Monday, January 29, 2024 at Becker Funeral Home, Clermont. A funeral service will be held from 9:30 – 10:30 at Becker Funeral Home to be followed by internment at the Bushnell National Cemetery

Following graduation from the Valley High School in Masontown, Mary enrolled at the Fairmont School of Nursing in Fairmont, West Virginia where she graduated with a degree as a licensed nurse. When Eugene retuned from World War II, where he was a radar bombardier on B 17 aircraft with the 8th Army Air Corp, Eugene and Mary Jean married, moved to Ohio and started their family.

After working with the Marion School System, Eugene and Mary accepted a position with the Marion Child Welfare Board as the Superintendent and Matron of the Waddel Children's Home. During a ten- year stint at the Children's home they cared for hundreds of previously abused and neglected children and their service was recognized on both a state and national level. While Eugene went on to become a Juvenile Court Judge, Mary continued on with more nursing education at both the Mansfield General Hospital School of Nursing and the Ohio State University, working on a specialization in Gerontological Nursing. Some of the highlights of Mary Jean's career as an RN included the following: Director of Nursing at the Marion Manor Nursing Home, Instructor at the Marion County School of Practical Nursing, and service as a head of nursing at a wing of an HCA Hospital.

Among the most cherished accolades of Mary's nursing career were the respect, love, and appreciation of both her patients and working partners. Her professional skill and personal warmth were all fueled by a deep love for her Savior Jesus Christ and a sincere desire to be of service and support to her family, friends, colleagues and patients. Wherever Mary went she was recognized as a compassionate and caring human being who served those who were her patients and partners.

As a member of St. Luke's United Methodist Church in Orlando, she was instrumental in organizing a dominoes day for seniors. She was active in Ladies Circle groups, quilting and volunteering for Shares, a food distribution program.

She loved games and was active in a bridge club and often played Euchre with family members. She enjoyed a good golf game, golfing well into her eighties. Music was also important to her. She played both the piano and organ encouraging family singalongs. Singing Handel's Messiah in a community choir

was a seasonal highlight. She and her husband were active in a dance club and enjoyed time with friends and displaying their skills to the family.

Mary Jean spent her last two years of life in Clermont, FL as a resident of Orchard Heights, Gracious Retirement Living. There she made many cherished friends and could still be seen with a sparkle in her eyes and a smile on her lips.

Mary and her husband were in charge of a children's home for 10 years. Her husband, Gene, was a youth probation officer and juvenile court judge and her daughter, Carole, was a teacher and principal of Edgewood Ranch in Orlando for years. This Christian facility deals with troubled children, giving them a place to live, learn, be part of a family and meet Jesus. We feel a donation to the Ranch would combine all these interests and concerns. Any contributions will be greatly appreciated. In Memory of Mary White, mother of Carole Myrick.

https://edgewoodranch.com/our-program/