Sophia A. White

Sophia A. (Castleberry) White was born in Bivins, Texas on February 23, 1939, one of seven children to the late Willie Lee (Jodie) and Catherine (Sugar) Castleberry. She professed her faith in Christ at an early age and was baptized at Aberdeen Baptist Church in Bivins, Texas.

She attended Pruitt Booker T. Washington High School of Atlanta, Texas. After high school graduation, she attended Texas Southern University.

While at Texas Southern University, she met her beloved Charles Edward White. The couple later married and started their new life in Gary, IN. To this union one daughter, Charlene, was born.

A true entrepreneur, she opened S & C’s Gift Shoppe in downtown Gary, IN, where her customers knew she specialized in unique gifts, beautiful purses and fashionable jewelry.

Sophia served in various organizations, including serving as the First Vice President with the Urban League of Northwest Indiana, Inc., Federation of Block Clubs. She was responsible for organizing and mobilizing block-by-block so that citizens could have a more powerful voice in the community, the city and the state.

Believing in the civil rights movement, justice and equality for African Americans, she joined the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) working alongside her husband. Sophia enjoyed reading the daily newspaper and staying current on local and national events that impacted the lives of the community. She also looked forward to receiving her weekly greeting card and chatting with her daughter by phone. Sophia always wanted to know what was going on in Chicago.

Sophia was passionate and competitive with her sports teams and loved watching NBA and NFL games, whether in person or on television. She especially enjoyed watching her favorite football player, J.J. Watt on the Houston Texans.

While she was often serious, telling a good joke or humorous story was always in order. Sophia would say, “Laughter is good for the soul.” Laughing and spending time with family brought her great joy.

In 1981, she became a charter member of Christ Baptist Church in Gary, IN. After retiring to Kingwood, Texas, she served as a Deaconess and Courtesy Corps member at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church until she became ill.

Sophia was proceeded in death by her parents, Willie Lee (Jodie) and Catherine (Sugar) Castleberry, husband, Deacon Charles White; one brother, Edwin Earl Castleberry, four sisters, Myrlean Rambo-Hudson, Evelyn Nicholson, Lillian Brumfield, and Barbara Castleberry; four sisters-in-law, Doris Hurley, Ardella Paul, Helen Brooks and Mildred Hicks.

She departed this life on August 31, 2022. She leaves to cherish her memory, a loving daughter Charlene, granddaughter, Ashley; two devoted sisters Sedalia (Waylon) Mitchell, Selma (Gene) Tyson; sister-in-law, Christine Carter; a hosts of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.AmericanHeritageFuneralHome.com for the White family.