Louise Felts White
September 20, 2024
JOHNSON CITY - Louise Felts White, 76, of Johnson City, Tennessee, passed away on September 20, 2024, following a brief battle with cancer. Mrs. White was predeceased by her husband of 56 years, Dr. Larry R. White, and is survived by son, James Conrade White (Sissy) of Hudson Oaks, Texas, and grandsons Campbell, Durham and Garrett; daughter Amanda White Charlton (John) of Columbia, South Carolina, grandson Isaac Charlton (Kitty) of West Point, Mississippi, and granddaughters Ansley and Emma Charlton; and, brother-in-law, Robert White (Laura) of McDonough, Georgia. She is also survived by a nephew, Drew White, of Marietta, Georgia, and several grand nephews.
Irma Louise Felts was born in Greenville, Mississippi, to William and Irma Felts of Indianola, Mississippi. Louise was one of the first female students admitted to the College of Business at Mississippi State University (MSU) in Starkville, and she subsequently became the first female graduate of the College of Business with a degree in accounting. While in college, she met the love of her life and fellow student, Larry White, and they married and began their life together while still students at MSU. Following their respective graduations, her husband was commissioned as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy, and the young couple lived in Key West, Florida, and Norfolk, Virginia during Larry's active service. Upon his separation from active duty, Louise and Larry relocated to Athens, Georgia, where Larry pursued graduate degrees at the University of Georgia.
The couple moved to Monroe, Georgia, where Larry began working in commercial banking before launching an academic career that took them to faculty positions in Mobile, Alabama, at the University of South Alabama, back to Starkville and Mississippi State, and, finally, to East Tennessee State University (ETSU) in Johnson City, Tennessee, where they remained until his retirement in 2022 from ETSU, and their subsequent deaths, just over a year apart. Throughout their various relocations, Louise continued to utilize her professional background in accounting to work in various accounting and finance positions in banking and education.
Louise was a proud and devoted parent and grandparent, and her family and many friends will sorely miss her.
A funeral and celebration of Louise and Larry's lives will be held at First Presbyterian Church, 307 University Drive, Starkville, MS, Wednesday, Nov. 27, at 10:30 am, followed by a graveside tribute at Memorial Garden Park, 9036 Oktoc Road, Starkville, MS.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to one of Larry and Louise's greatest passions:
Mississippi State University; P.O. Box 6149; Mississippi State, MS 39762; In Memo Line: The Dr. Larry and Mrs. Louise White Memorial Scholarship Fund; For inquiries contact Kristin Skinner (662) 325-4214
East Tennessee State University Foundation; P.O. Box 70721; Johnson City, TN 37614; In Memo Line: In Honor of Dr. Larry and Mrs. Louise White; For inquiries contact Rebecca Huddleston (423) 439-5866
Angel Fund at Appalachian Animal Hospital; 5462 Highway 11 E; Piney Flats, TN 37686; In Memo Line: Honoring Larry and Louise White; For inquiries contact Glinda Cash (423) 538-8119.
You can leave the family a condolence at:
www.welchfuneralhomes.comPublished by Johnson City Press from Nov. 22 to Nov. 23, 2024.