Rita Ann Lavery White

She is preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, James L. White and her parents, Joseph C. and Anne (Kelly) Lavery, and five brothers and sisters.

Survived by children, Jim (Jane) White, Tom (Sandy) White, Joe (Debby) White, Margaret McCutcheon and Anne (David)Walker; 12 grandchildren, Jude White (Phil Newman), James (Megan) White, Chad (Misty)White, Colleen (Tom) Blanchard, Rebecca White, Christy (Brandon) Tuley, Michael White, Meghan White, Rita (Jason) Andra, Laura Kelly McCutcheon, David (Renee) Walker, and Margaret Walker; 13 great-grandchildren. Other survivors include her brother, Thomas Lavery of Baxter Springs, KS.

Rita was born April 21, 1922 in Frontenac, Kansas, the oldest girl in a family of seven children. After finishing school she worked during “The War” at several ordnance and ammunition plants in Kansas, helping the war effort. When she married a pilot, Lt. James L. White of New York City, she left her small town and created a loving home for her family as they moved around the country. She and Jim settled in Nashville in 1968, but she never forgot her Kansas roots or any of her extensive family “back home”.

She was a devout and active Parishioner of St. Henry Catholic Church, where she served as a Eucharistic Minister. She volunteered for years at St. Thomas Hospital and the Ladies of Charity. She had many friends from Nashville and every place she had lived. Rita was very proud of her Irish heritage. She loved to travel the world with Jim, loved the Detroit Tigers, home grown tomatoes, Frank Sinatra, Perry Como and the Big Band sound. She was fiercely independent, and accepted whatever life gave her with grace and courage.

On Monday, August 10, 2015, the Rosary will be said by the Ladies of Charity at 4:30 p.m. at St. Henry Catholic Church, 6401 Harding Pike, followed by visitation from 5 p.m.- 7 p.m.

Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated at St. Henry on Tuesday, August 11, 2015 at 11 a.m. with Rev. Mark Beckman, Celebrant. Granddaughters will serve as Pallbearers. Burial will follow at Middle Tennessee State Veteran’s Cemetery on McCrory Lane, where Rita will join Jim in eternal rest.

The family would especially like to thank Dr. Bruce Richards and the many dedicated caregivers to Rita over the last year, for their exceptional kindness and concern.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Ladies of Charity, 2216 State St., Nashville, 37203, or to the capital fund at St. Henry Catholic Church, 64