Mary Jo White

Mary Jo Willbanks White, 86, passed away Tuesday, December 27, 2011, at a local medical center. Funeral services will be 11:00a.m., Friday, December 30, 2011 at the University Church of Christ with Clyde Austin officiating. Burial will follow in Elmwood Memorial Park under the direction of Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home, 542 Hickory. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, December 29, 2011 at the funeral home.

Mary Jo was born on October 29, 1925 in Rotan, Texas to May and Mary Willbanks. Her family moved to San Saba, Texas where she graduated from high school. After graduation, Mary Jo took the civil service exam and held government jobs in New Mexico and Colorado. She then moved to Houston, Texas to work for an insurance company and it was during this time that she met Glenn White. He was renting a room from Mary Jo’s sister Kara. They were married on April 3, 1949 in Colorado City, Texas and together they raised two sons, Larry and Terry in Abilene.

Mary Jo was an active member of the University Church of Christ. Her interests included sewing, gardening and cooking with a special talent for desserts: especially chocolate pie and angel food cake.

Preceding her in death were her husband Glenn; her parents; and seven brothers and sisters.

She is survived by her sons; Larry White and wife Sharon, of Austin and Terry White and wife Vi, of Abilene. She has four grandsons; Jonathan and wife Courtney, Justin, Nathan and Duke, 5 great- grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be sent to the Christian Village of Abilene, 633 East North 19th, Abilene, Texas 79601.