WHITE, Johnnie W. 1919-2010
WHITE, DAVIS, BURT, HOLLINS, ROBINS, BURKETT, SPELLER, STIGLER, WRIGHT, ROBINSON
Posted By: S. Bell
Date: 8/2/2010 at 13:45:21
[Waterloo Courier, Sunday, March 21, 2010]
Today we pay respect and give tribute to the blessed memory of a unique, legendary and compassionate family man, Johnnie W. White.
Born Feb. 14, 1919, in Greenwood, Miss., Johnnie was born the third child of Enna Davis and John W. White. He was educated in both Greenwood and the Waterloo public schools.
He married his soul mate of now nearly 70 years, Aretha Burt, on May 4, 1940, in Waterloo. To this union eight children were born.
Johnnie worked at John Deere Waterloo Works for 45 years, retiring in 1981.
Immediately after retiring, Johnnie began his long life of leisure by traveling, hunting and fishing, gardening, buying and selling automobiles. He also was an excellent cook, a great story teller, a historian and negotiator. He fast became an expert at almost anything. Johnnie was the family and friends counselors and advisor. His services came with a small price. You had better have plenty of spare time when you were in need of them because he was probably going to use it all talking and then some. But the help was on the way! Johnnie always delivered. He also enjoyed the game of baseball, chit-chatting with the fellas at Hardee's, and on occasion, just being all over town making new friends and stopping to share a story or two about his sometimes very embellished adventures and accomplishments. He had a special way with people. He has touched many with his giving and loving spirit. He will be truly missed throughout this community.
Johnnie leaves to carry on his legacy, his wife, Aretha; three sons, John (Leslie) White of New Haven, Conn., Robert (Linda) White of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Anthony (Ida) White of Waterloo; his daughters, Cecelia Hollins and Mia (Mark) Robins, both of Minneapolis, Kathie Burkett of Des Moines, and Patricia White, Inez Murtha, Carolyn (Wendell) Speller, Ruthie (Rueben) Stigler and Ruby (Charles) Wright, all of Waterloo, Johnnie also leaves to cherish his memory the special loves of his heart: 46 grandchildren, 102 great-grandchildren, 40 great-great-grandchildren, a granddaughter, Tina Robinson, whom he raised as a daughter; and a special grandson, Antwon White.
Johnnie W. White was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Kandi Robinson; two sisters, and several other loved ones.
Services will be 11 a.m. Monday at Antioch Baptist Church, with burial in Garden of Good Shepherd section of Garden of Memories Cemetery. Friends may call from 5 to 7 p.m. today at Sanders Funeral Service, and for an hour before services Monday at the church.
Memorials may be directed to the family at 402 Cottage St., where they will receive friends.
Black Hawk Obituaries maintained by Karen De Groote.
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