Reverend White

On February 3, 2009, Reverend Wayne White went home to his Savior and Lord, after a lifetime of service in His name. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, February 5, 2009 at Pioneer Drive Baptist Church, 701 S. Pioneer Dr. Arrangements are with Elmwood Funeral Home, 5750 HWY 277 South.

Born August 23, 1925, in Jester, Oklahoma, Wayne was the eldest of six children born to Travis and Florence White. Much of his childhood and youth were spent in Pampa, Texas, where he was a member of Calvary Baptist Church. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy at age 17 in 1943, and entered active service as Fireman First Class, primarily on the S.S. Bryant DD-665. Wayne was awarded six stars for action in the Asiatic Pacific Area, two stars in action involving the Philippine Liberation, and the Victory Medal WWII. His ship was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation for outstanding heroism for action in Saipan-Tinian, Palau, Surigao Strait Battle of Leyte Bay, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa.

It was in Tokyo that Wayne had an experience that changed his life. After a Japanese clerk surreptitiously asked the young sailor, What means Jesus Christ Wayne subsequently felt called to dedicate his life to responding to those in search of an answer to that question. Upon his honorable discharge from the Navy in 1946, he went on to study at Wayland Baptist College, Wheaton, and Baylor University before receiving his Master of Divinity at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Ft. Worth, Texas. On May 25, 1949, Wayne was ordained to the work of the Gospel Ministry. The following year, May 15, 1950, Rev. White married the girl who would be his lifetime sweetheart and companion, Winnie Constance Dudley, daughter of Roy Elliott and Perla Wyatt Dudley, in a ceremony at Gaston Avenue Baptist Church in Dallas.

Reverend White pastored Hastings Baptist Church in Hastings, Oklahoma, during the early 50s. In 1956, Rev. and Mrs. White moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, where Red Rock Baptist Church, still meeting today, began in their living room. In 1963, the Whites moved with their four children to Latin America, studying Spanish one year in Costa Rica, then serving with the Foreign Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention for 27 years in Mexico. Reverend and Mrs. White returned to Abilene, Mrs. Whites native city, in 1991, where they are members of Pioneer Drive Baptist Church.

Survivors include his beloved spouse; his loving children and their spouses, Laurie Lee MacLaren of Denton, Paul and Robin Tinley of Venezuela, Travis and Gay White of Virginia, and Sandy Braem of Arizona; his ten grandchildren and spouses, Joe and Megan Tinley Brewster, Daniel McClung, Tim and Alyssa Tinley Doty, Matthew Tinley, Elisabeth McClung, Michael McClung, Ben White, Erin White, Laura Braem, Zach Braem; and his great grandchildren, Susanna Joy Brewster, Caleb Ford Brewster and Bryce Anthony Dale Doty; his siblings, Edna Rose Gates and husband Eddie Gates, Lefa Colleen Arnold, Oletta Mae Williams and husband Hershel, Otis Dwayne White; sister-in-law, Vivian White; and 17 nieces and nephews. His passing leaves a loss that will be felt by all who knew him, but Reverend White was prepared and joyful to go to his Lord.

His brother, Clyde Mickey White preceded him in death.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the International Mission Board of the S.B.C., P.O. Box 6767, Richmond, VA, 23230-0767.
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