Ethel Miller White
What do you remember about Ethel? Share your stories and photos here, and invite others to come share their memories.
Ethel Mae Miller White passed away on July 24, 2022 at the age of 98.
She was born on March 21, 1924. She and her devoted husband, Dr. Richard Paul White were married and graduated from college on the same day on June 8, 1947. Her comment, "We were in a hurry!" Also in later years she would say, "I have never dreamed as a child that I would have such a wonderful life as I have has married to my husband and have two fine sons. I thank God each day for his blessings and guidance."
Ethel was a product of the Great Depression. She was born and reared in the industrial city of Terre Haute, Indiana in which education was very progressive. She knew young that she wanted to become a teacher. She taught in Desoto, Kansas and Germantown, Tennessee. She received twenty-two teaching awards over the years. In 1984, Mrs. White received the National Science Teachers Association Award and from Governor Lamar Alexander, The Tennessean Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award.
Ethel taught four year old Sunday School at Christ Methodist Church, had Cub Scout Den and was director of the Acolytes. When the family moved to Germantown, they transferred their memberships to Germantown United Methodist Church. She continued to serve the Cub Scouts and in later years taught an adult Sunday School Class and was an active member at Germantown Untied Methodist Women. She also belonged to the Chickasaw Bluff Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Memphis Sherlock Holmes Society and Memphis Scottish Society.
Ethel was preceded in death by her parents, Frank Loen Miller and Ive Augusta Byrnes Miller; two brothers, Thurman Hershel Miller and Fredrick Franklin Miller and a sister, Wanda Maxine Miller Fegely.
She is survived by her husband of 75 years, Ricard Paul White; two sons, Dr. Paul Wickey White (Patty) of Germantown and Dr. Thurman Richard White (Teresa) of Nashville. Other survivors include one grandson, two granddaughters, four great grandchildren, four stepsons, and three step great granddaughters.
Private Services will be held at Memorial Park Funeral Home.
The family requests in lieu of flowers any memorials be made to Germantown United Methodist (901-754-7216) or to a charity of your choice.