James R. White

Jimmy R. White Sr. passed peacefully in his sleep on Wednesday May 18th, 2016 at 94 years of age at Sugar Creek Assisted Living in Brownsville, TN. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. N.O. and Rebecca White, born in Union City, TN. He was a retired Colonel in the Air Force and he served our country during WWII where he was awarded: five bronze Battle Stars, Distinguished Air Medal, the 3 Oak Leaf Cluster Medal and the Silver Star. Upon coming back from the war, he attended Southwestern University in Memphis, TN where he met the love of his life, Beverly Beane. They were married for 69 wonderful years. Shortly after graduation and marriage, they moved to Kansas where he received his masters in Entomology at the University of Kansas. In 1952 they moved to Nutbush, TN, where he managed the Beane family farm for the last 60 years. Jimmy worked with the State of Tennessee for over 25 years as an Entomologist for the Tennessee Department of Agriculture. Jimmy had an uncanny ability to never meet a stranger, and he loved farming, fishing, gardening, and hunting with all of his friends and family. Jimmy White was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and faithful Sunday school teacher at First Presbyterian Church in Brownsville, TN for over 60 years. He was preceded in death by: his wife, Beverly, a son, Jimmy R. White Jr., a grandson, Daniel James White, a sister, Winifred Miller and a nephew, Mike Miller. He is survived by: three sons: David White (Birgitta) Memphis, TN, John White (Monica) Nashville, TN, Bill White (Lorie) Jackson, TN, daughter-in-law: Donna White, Olive Branch, MS, five grandchildren: Liel Erdedi (Stefan), Ellen Banks (Justin), Scott White, Brandi White, Sarah Gardner (Colby), four great-grandchildren, three nieces: Becky Wallace, Judy Barker, Peggy Miller and a nephew: Jack Miller. Funeral Services will be conducted Sunday, May 22, 2016, at 3:00 P.M. in the First Presbyterian Church in Brownsville, TN. Burial will follow in Morning Sun Cumberland Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Cordova, TN. Visitation will be Saturday, May 21, 2016, 3:00 P.M. - 5:00 P.M. in the Lea and Simmons Funeral Home. A special thanks to his caregivers at Sugar Creek Retirement Center, Brownsville, TN, Northbrook Rehabilitation Center, Jackson, TN and Virgie Holloway who faithfully cared for the family for twenty five years. Memorials are requested to: First Presbyterian Church, 109 West College St., Brownsville, TN, 38012 or the charity of the donor's choice. Lea and Simmons Funeral Home 731-772-8880. www.leaandsimmons.com