Preacher Robert A. White

Preacher Robert A. White, 81, of 1628 New Eastwood Circle, Morganton, NC went home to be with his Lord on Monday, January 16, 2006 at his residence after a courageous battle with cancer. His sweet wife, Stella, and his children were by his side. Born April 13, 1924 in Chase City, VA, he was a son of the late Walter and Mary Hoyle White. He served in the U.S. Navy during WWII on the USS Callisto and the DE-169, USSAtherton. Preacher White pastored several churches in VA, NC, and SC. He came to Buncombe County in 1961 as pastor of Sunrise Baptist Church and went on to organize Good News Baptist Church and the W.N.C. Baptist Camp Meeting in Candler. He was a faithful preacher on the radio for over fifty years with the Good Tidings and the Glad Tidings broadcasts. After leaving Buncombe County, he pastored Midway Baptist in Brevard, Cove Creek Baptist in Pickens, SC, and his last pastorate was at Bright Light Baptist in Bessemer City, NC. After his retirement, he moved to Morganton and joined Trinity Baptist Church in Valdese. He had an earned doctorate from Southern States Academy and two honorary doctorates.

Surviving are his wife of sixty-three years, Stella Shelton White of the home; daughters, Terry Newton and her husband, Andy of Morganton, Kathy White of Asheville, and Joan White of Spartanburg, SC; sons, David White and his wife, Lynn of Easley, SC and Paul White of Greenville, SC; grandchildren, Chris Brockmeier and his wife, Angie, Jonathan Brigman, Angela Holland and her husband, Glen, Lesley Williams and her husband, Brad, Josh Grant, Morgan White, and Victoria White; great grandchildren, Ashley, Shaina, Heather, and Dillan; and a sister, Beulah Simmons of Petersburg, VA.

A Celebration of his life will be held at his home church, Trinity Baptist in Valdese at 1:00 p.m. Friday, January 20, 2006 at Trinity Baptist Church with Pastor Scott Moneyham, Rev. Rayton Puckett, and Rev. Ray Aiken officiating. Special singing will be by Preacher White’s children and grandchildren and also by Preacher Charlie Bishop. Pallbearers will be Rev. Allen Aiken, Rev. Don Burchette, Rev. Jake Fender, Rev. Tony Lambert, Rev. Tony Land, Rev. Wayne Ownby, Rev. David Plemmons, Rev. Ricky Rackley, Rev. Larry Sprouse, and Rev. Barry Wall. Honorary pallbearers will be all of Rev. White’s preacher friends. Burial will be in Burke Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 9:00 p.m. Thursday at the church where the body will remain until the service. At other times the family will be at the residence on New Eastwood Circle. For the kindness shown by Hospice during Preacher White’s illness, memorial gifts may be made to Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, 1721 Enon Rd., Valdese, NC 28690. Sossoman Funeral Home is assisting the family.