Gwendolyn Hale White

Dr. White was born on January 7, 1946 in Cookeville TN. She attended Peabody Demonstration School, Vanderbilt University, Austin Peay State University and Middle Tennessee State University. She held a bachelor’s degree in English, a master’s degree in English Literature and a doctorate in American Literature. She worked for Metro Schools for 30 years as an English teacher and Librarian. She also co-wrote the proposal for East Literature Magnet School and served as its co-coordinator for the first three years after its inception. She was an adjunct associate professor of English at Middle Tennessee State University for 15 years. After retiring from Metro Schools, she was an educational consultant for the Tennessee State Department of Education. Dr. White was a member of First Presbyterian Church and sang in the choir there for several years. She loved her family, music and literature. One of her favorite quotations was from the Southern poet, Sidney Lanier: “Music is love in search of a word.”

Dr. White was preceded in death by her parents, the Rev. Dr. and Mrs. (Elizabeth Daniel) Clifford E. Hale and her brother, David Daniel Hale. She is survived by her daughters, Dr. Melissa Angell, Melinda Tomlinson and Sandra (Kim) Outzen, and two grandchildren, Becca Angell and Walker Angell.

Visitation will be on Thursday January 26, 2023 from 5-8 PM at Brentwood Funeral Home and on Friday from 10-11 AM at First Presbyterian Church with Funeral Service to follow at 11 AM at First Presbyterian Church. Burial will follow in the City Cemetery in Cookeville, TN.

Memorial contributions may be made to the College of Arts and Sciences of Vanderbilt University, Peabody Demonstration School (University School of Nashville), or the music department of First Presbyterian Church.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Brentwood-Roesch-PattonFuneralHome.com for the White family.