Nan White

Nan E. White was born in Jacksonville, Illinois on March 15, 1931.

She was the only child of the late Grace Mitchell Johnson Cook.

The family moved to Peoria, Illinois in 1947, where Nan received her high school diploma in 1949. She continued her education at Bradley University in Peoria, graduating Magna Cum Laude, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1952.

While enrolled at Bradley, Nan met and married the love of her life, a fellow student, Wilmer M. White. They wed on April 29, 1950 and enjoyed over 71 years of enduring love and commitment known to few.

To this union, one son, Michael Anthony was born July 10, 1952.

The family moved to St. Louis, Missouri in 1952, where Nan subsequently enrolled at Washington University, George Warren Brown School of Social Work.

She earned her Master of Social Work Degree in 1955.

Nan’s professional career included employment at the Family and Children’s Services of Greater St. Louis, as a Caseworker III, family therapist and student supervisor; Lincoln High School in East St. Louis, Illinois as a Social worker; Annie Malone Children’s Home, as a Social Worker (1968-1969); and as

Executive Director from 1970 until her retirement in 1978.

After retirement, Nan did independent child welfare consulting and private counseling. She also did volunteer service for several organizations:

The United Way of Greater St. Louis, the St. Louis Division of Family Services,

“Y Read” Tutoring Program and the St. Louis Public School System, counseling pregnant teenage students. After relocating to Buena Park, California, she read to children at the Buena Park Library. She held Life Membership in the Veterans of Foreign War Auxiliary; supported the Southern Poverty Law Center; the Carter Center, NAACP, United Negro College Fund, AARP and the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Nan was a reserved person, unpretentious and a loyal friend. She was a foster mother. Her hobbies were reading, music, crossword puzzles, bowling, dominoes and traveling. She, her husband Wilmer and son Michael traveled extensively in the United States, the Caribbean, Europe and Africa.

In October 1998, Wilmer and Nan moved to Buena Park, California to live with their son. In California, they enjoyed attending the Cerritos Performing Arts Center. They continued their travels with Orange County Circle of Friends; where Nan was supervisor of volunteers until that organization disbanded.

Nan departed this life on

She leaves to cherish her memory: a loving husband and beloved son; cousins including Mary Daniels, Anna Mae Williams, Richard Jr. and Elmer Mitchell.

A dear friend of over 70 years, Ella Davis Askew and a surrogate daughter

Jennifer Houston-Wilbanks and her extended family. She will be missed by those

who knew her.