Esther Lee White

Esther was born on December 27, 1929 to Luther James and Eunice Lee (Mulkey) Selvey in Blackwell, Oklahoma. She graduated from Blackwell High School in 1947, where she was a member of the 5th Annual Oklahoma All State Mixed Choir, and went on to attend Oklahoma Baptist University. Esther graduated from OBU with a Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics with Secondary Teaching Credentials in 1951. While at OBU she was active in the Home Economics Club and the Kardran-Latham Social Club.

It was at Oklahoma Baptist University that she met her husband, J. Eugene (Gene) White who was preparing for ministry. The couple were wed on August 13, 1950 in Blackwell, Oklahoma.

Through the years, the couple lived in Fort Worth, Texas; Silver Spring, Maryland; and Thomasville, North Carolina for Gene’s job as Editorial Assistant at the Baptist Standard, Managing Editor for Americans United for the Separation of Church and State Magazine, and Editor at Charity and Children news publications, as well as other ministerial appointments before moving to Amarillo, Texas in 1971.

Esther actively served in school PTAs, Sunday Schools, and Church Children’s Choirs at varying times for her children until they all graduated. In 1976 the family joined First Baptist Church of Amarillo, where Esther served as the photographer for the Strimple Sunday School Class in Adult Dept. #6. Esther was excited by the opportunity to take adult education classes at Amarillo College in Home Decorating and redesigned the family living room as a part of her coursework. Renowned in the area as a master tailor and clothing designer, she operated Esther’s Stitch Witchery for more than 35 years.

Esther is survived by her children and their spouses; Elsa and Jay Williams (Richardson, Texas), Bryan and Susan White (Amarillo, Texas), Lelan “Lem” and Laura White (Dallas, Texas), Kenan White (Amarillo, Texas) and daughter-in-law Carol White (Amarillo, Texas) as well as grandchildren and great-grandchildren: John (Sarah) White and their sons Benjamin, Matthew and Ezekiel; Phillip (Maggie) White and their daughters Auberyana, Kylee, and Vera; Elin (Collin) Vanlandingham; Jaron, Erin and Jaxon Williams; Kristin Bennefield and Honor Sanford White; and Griff and Chaz White.

Esther is preceded in death by her parents, Luther and Eunice Selvey, her husband, J. Eugene White, son Stevan White, brother Duane Selvey and granddaughter Kairsa Marae White.

A visitation for Esther will be held Thursday, November 10, 2022 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Memorial Park Funeral Home, 6969 East Interstate 40, Amarillo, TX 79118. A funeral service will occur Friday, November 11, 2022 at 10:00 AM at First Baptist Church, 1208 S Tyler St, Amarillo, Texas 79101. A graveside service will occur Friday, November 11, 2022 at 11:15 AM at Memorial Park Cemetery, 6969 East Interstate 40, Amarillo, Texas 79118.

Serving as pallbearers are Bryan White, Lelan White, Jay Williams, Jaron Williams, Jaxon Williams, John White, Philip White and Collin Vanlandingham.

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