Mr. James W. White

James W. White was born in Laran, Louisiana, to Lucius White and Lucille Stevens. He was the fourth of six children. His parents, three brothers, L.D. Rogers, Dank Smith, and Robert Shepherd; one sister, Willitine Johnson; one daughter, Pamela Johnson; and one grandson, Brian Ferguson, preceded him in death.

He lived his childhood in Strong, Arkansas. As an adult, he enlisted in the United States Airforce. After discharge, he settled in Kansas City, Missouri. There, he met and married Cressie B. White. Together, they raised seven children, Terrell Harper, Braderick Harper, Pamela Johnson, Natalie Harper, Staci White, James D. White, and Alisa Burton; and grandson, Anthony Holland. He is survived by one brother, Leonard White; six children, 5 grandchildren, and 4 great grandchildren.

For 43 years, he worked long hours as a Painter/Carpenter at General Motors, but he was very much a family man – whether it was weekends at home listening to us kids getting too loud, outings to the drive-in theater, or family trips to the lake in the wee hours of the morning to go fishing and stay all day, eating and playing.

He was an avid outdoorsman. He proudly brought home various wild game to specially prepare and eat. Pam, often recounted how, while on one of those trips, she witnessed him shoot the head off a snake.

He lived, loved, and laughed for 87 years. Now it’s time to rest. We will miss him saying, with a loud voice, yet, loving eyes, "Stop making all that noise in there, I'm trying to sleep!” but, Daddy you can rest well now. We know you are getting the best sleep you've ever had. Until that great getting up morning, sleep well.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23

Funeral Service will be held on Friday, October 1, 2021, 12:00pm at the Watkins Heritage Chapel. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10am-12pm at the chapel. Service conducted by Watkins Heritage Chapel. Condolences may be shared on our website. Due to COVID-19 protocols, social distancing and face coverings are required indoors.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mr. James W. White, please visit our floral store.