Mary Ellen White

Mary Ellen Bray White was born March 13, 1938, and passed from her worldly life on March 21, 2019.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jimmy G. White, one brother, Bobby Bray, and two sisters, Betty Bray and Shirley Taylor.

She is survived by one sister, Ruby F. Bray Sutton of Florida; two daughters, Vicki Kelley, Texas, and Terri White; four grandchildren, Shea (Allison) Kelley, Katie (Todd) Richardson, Taylor Kelley, and Haley (Evelio) Pinzon; one great-grandchild and numerous nieces, nephews and friends across the United States.

During her 57 year marriage, Ellen and Jimmy lived all over the United States as Jimmy was active duty Air Force and Ellen the dutiful military spouse. When he retired from the military, they moved from Georgia back to Manila and lived there until the time of her death. She was active in the family shoe business, as well as briefly running a coffee shop in Manila. She was beloved by many and often thought of as a “second mother” to more than can be counted. She enjoyed gardening and fishing and for many years made an annual trip to Canada with family and friends to fish. She welcomed hunters of all types as her homes were frequently the starting point for many an elk hunt, pheasant hunt, or duck hunt. She was soft spoken and kind-hearted, and intuitively knew when someone needed a hug. She judged not, loved children and animals. She had an adventurous side, including earning her private pilot license while living in Colorado. She was a fabulous cook and could (and would) can anything that stood still long enough to get into a jar. She gave people second, third and fourth chances, sometimes to her undoing, but always led with her heart. She will be sorely missed by those who knew her best.

The family has decided to not hold a formal memorial or service as she was a private person once she lost the love of her life, Jimmy. Her final days were filled with much joy from the explosion of kittens born in her garage as she never turned away a hungry mouth, be it human or animal.

In lieu of flowers or other forms of remembrance – please feel free to continue her efforts to spay and neuter “her fur babies” by donating to GoFundMe.com/kitten-cuteness-overload, as she felt strongly about the unnecessary explosion of unwanted or cared for animals. If more comfortable, donations may be made directly to ARPets Hospital, 870-336-1000, Brooklyn, Ark., to the White Family Kitty Account.

Guest registry: www.faithfuneralservice.net