Billie Frances White's Obituary
Billie Frances White, 94, of Memphis, died peacefully on Wednesday, August 11, 2021.
She was born in Bradford, Tennessee to Charles Henry Barton and Jettye Halford Barton.
Billie Frances began her music lessons at age 7 with Mary Alexander Neville who presented her in a virtuoso recital when Billie Frances graduated from high school. From there she continued her piano practice while she earned her degree at University of Tennessee School of Nursing. She served as president of the student body in 1948.
She was employed by Dr. Duane Carr, a thoracic surgeon, as his operating room assistant. At this time, she met another thoracic surgeon, Dr. William G. White, whom she married on January 7, 1951.
Billie Frances continued her music studies with Thomas Weber, organist at Idlewild Presbyterian Church, and mastered the pipe organ there. She graduated cum laude with a second academic degree in music from Memphis State University in 1956.
Billie Frances and Dr. White were charter members of Shady Grove Presbyterian Church, where she was the organist for 10 years. During this time, she also provided piano lessons and at one time had 45 students.
She was a longtime instructor at the Baptist Memorial Hospital School of Nursing and later became the Student Services Coordinator.
Billie Frances earned two master’s degrees: one in Curriculum and Instruction and the other in Educational Psychology. She taught career development in the School of Education at MSU.
She served as organist for several area churches, including Lindsay Memorial Presbyterian Church, Church of the Annunciation Episcopal, Madison Heights United Methodist Church, and Everett Memorial United Methodist Church. In her later years, she enjoyed Bible study classes at Christ United Methodist Church.
She belonged to Chi Omega sorority, L’Allegro Circle of King’s Daughters, the Memphis Symphony League, and the Duration Club. She was an avid bridge player and achieved her Life Master status in the American Contract Bridge League.
Billie Frances was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Betty Hubert; her husband, William G. White; and her son, William Guerin White, Jr.
She leaves her daughter, Gloria C. White (Ed Rainey), granddaughter Jessica White; great-granddaughter Phoebe Gibson; cousin Andrew Halford, and nieces Janet Derby, Penny Prater (Mark), and Betsy Swindell (Terry). The family wishes to express deep gratitude to Lutich Ivy for her loving care.
A celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, November 20 at 2 p.m. at Shady Grove Presbyterian Church, with a reception to follow.
The service will be live-streamed at http://youtube.com/SGPCMemphis.
The Billie F. White Memorial Scholarship has been established at the Baptist Health Sciences University to support students majoring in nursing. Please direct any memorial gifts supporting this scholarship to the Baptist Memorial Health Care Foundation, 350 N. Humphreys Blvd., Memphis, TN 38120 or www.bmhgiving.org.
Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery is in charge of arrangements, (901) 767-8930
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