Edwin Cole White's Obituary
Edwin Cole White went to be with his Lord on November 2, 2008, at the age of 95 after a short illness. He was born August 30, 1913, in Garland, Texas. Ed was the last surviving sibling of nine children born to John Franklin and Leota Lillie White. While growing up in Garland, playing tennis was a big part of Ed's life. He won a Dallas County Championship in high school and attended Erskine College in South Carolina on a tennis scholarship. He and his son, Dean, played together and won many Father and Son tournaments. At age 55, Ed could still jump the tennis net after a win.
Ed married Mary Eva Underwood in Carthage, Texas on August 20, 1939, and recently celebrated 69 joyous years of marriage. They were a loving couple and devoted their lives to the Lord, each other and their family. Ed was a wonderful husband, an exceptional father and a true friend. He is survived by his wife, Eva; two children, Dr. Dean White and wife, Vickie, of Granbury and daughter, Cynthia Christian and husband, Larry, of Longview; five grandchildren, Shelley Christian Auer of Houston, Jennifer Biddle and husband, Ryan, of Austin, Lindsay Hodges and husband, Brian of Roanoke, Texas, Clark Christian and wife, Jennifer, of Dickson, Tennessee and Shannon Cole Davidson and husband, Scott, of Austin; three great grandchildren, Avery and Emerson Hodges and Jack Christian; and many nieces and nephews.
Ed served in World II in England with the 8th Air Force. He was a Staff Sargent attached to the Royal Air Force where he lived and worked with the British soldiers. He had a great admiration for the British people. After the war ended in 1945, Ed returned to resume his work with Nabisco. Quickly rising to Branch Manager, Ed spent the greater part of his 35 year career in Amarillo, Texas. In 1977, Ed and Eva retired and moved to Lake Cherokee to enjoy fishing, traveling the world, and playing with their grandchildren.
Ed was respected for his integrity, motivational skills, and dedication to his work and church. With enthusiasm and love for the Lord, Ed lived by Micah 6:8, "acting justly, loving mercy and walking humbly with God". He began to teach adult Sunday school classes in 1954, studying and preparing daily for 46 years. Ed served on numerous committees and held many church offices including Sunday school superintendent, deacon and elder. He was a longtime member and teacher at Trinity Baptist Church of Lakeport where the members affectionately called him "Brother Ed" or "Mister Ed".
Ed was 11th generation descendant of John Howland who came to this country on the Mayflower.
The family is very grateful for the excellent care and loving concern that were showered on Ed during his illness by the 4th floor South nursing staff of Good Shepherd Medical Center and the staffs of Beacon Hospice and Margaret's House.
Services will be at the Chapel of Rader Funeral Home, Longview, by Dr. Gary Orr and Dr. Dean White, at 10 a.m. Wednesday, November 5, 2008. Internment will be in Rosewood Park in Longview. Visitation will be held Tuesday, November 4, 2008, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Rader Funeral Home in Longview.
If desired memorials may be made to Beacon Hospice, P O Box 5908, Longview, Texas 75608 or the Youth Mission, Trinity Baptist Church, P O Box 8286, Longview, Texas 75607.
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