Mary White

(From Parker Mortuary)

Mary Angeline (Wright) White died on Monday, November 11, 2013, at Quaker Hill Skilled Nursing in Baxter Springs, Kansas.

Mary Wright White was born on February 1, 1916, in Garnett, Kansas, the daughter of Burt and Maude (Simons) Wright. Her parents, descendants of early Kansas settlers, were prominent farmers and her father served as County Commissioner of Anderson County, Kansas. The Simons farmland has remained in the family for over 150 years.

Mary White attended elementary school in Garnett and Kansas City. At an early age, she was given violin lessons and played in a family music ensemble. She graduated from Garnett High School in 1933 at age 16, achieved a teaching certificate, and started her teaching career in a one room school. She later attended Kansas State College at Pittsburg and the University of Colorado.

 In 1938, she was employed to teach kindergarten in Chetopa, Kansas, where she met her future husband, A. Roy White, who taught industrial arts and history and coached all sports. They were married in 1939 and moved to Joplin, MIssouri, where Mr. White was Vice Principal at Joplin High School. Mrs. White continued her violin studies with Mary Bingham Porter.

After Army service World War II, Mr. White returned to Joplin as Principal of South Junior High School and the couple lived in G. I. City, which was owned by the Joplin schools. Mrs. White taught violin, viola, and cello lessons privately and later taught third grade at St. Mary's Parochial School. She was Associate Concertmaster of the Joplin Civic Symphony and performed in a violin trio.

After Mr. White passed away in 1982, Mary White continued to serve as a substitute teacher in the Joplin schools and traveled with family and friends. She was a member of Byers Avenue Methodist Church and L 'Amitie club.

Mrs. White is survived by two daughters, Dr. Karen A. White of St. Petersburg, FL, and Vicki White Miltun and son-in-law Dr. David Miltun of Seattle, WA. She is remembered fondly by her family, friends, and former students.

Visitation will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, November 14, at Parker Mortuary. Internment will take place at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, November 15, at the Garnett, KS cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Joplin Public Library.