Russell Russ Reed White

Mr. White was born in Caldwell County on January 24, 1932 to the late Rufus G. and Clonsie Smith White. He was also preceded in death by his daughter, Susan Dawn White, and two sisters, Aretta Able and Helen Miller.

He is survived by his devoted wife of nearly 59 years, Sue Barnwell White, and his loving granddaughter, Kristin Elizabeth Greene. He is also survived by two sisters, Gail Whisnant and Betty Swanson, as well as two brothers, Marshall White and Arnold White, in addition to numerous nieces and nephews.

Russell was a proud Veteran of the U.S. Army. After Basic Training, he went to Japan where he attended Chemical Biological Warfare School. He then went on to serve in Korea in the Combat Zone in the Tank Battalion. After returning home from his military service, Russell began working for Broyhill Industries where he remained for 41 years. He started out as an entry-level employee and worked his way up to become a valued manager within the company.

Mr. White was a member of the First Baptist Church of Hudson for over 46 years. He was a man of great faith, and he was a strong Christian leader for his family. Russell was a kind and loving man who never met a stranger. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

The memorial service will be held on Tuesday, June 3rd, 2014 at 3:00 pm at First Baptist Church of Hudson. The family will receive friends from 2:00 – 3:00 pm immediately prior to the service. Burial will follow at Sardis Cemetery. The memorial service will be officiated by Dr. Wade Dellinger and Pastor Mack Jarvis, III. Pallbearers will include nephews Brian Whisnant and Alan Nichols, as well as members from the First Baptist Church of Hudson. Honorary Pallbearers will be members of the Berean Sunday School Class from First Baptist Church of Hudson.

Flowers will be accepted or memorials can be given to Caldwell Hospice at 902 Kirkwood Street NW, Lenoir 28645 or First Baptist Church of Hudson at 345 Main Street, Hudson NC 28638.

Online condolences can be sent to the White family at www.pendrysfuneralhome.com.

Pendry’s Funeral Home of Lenoir is honored to be serving the family of Russell White.

Eulogy by Kristin Greene

Russell White was and is the greatest man I've ever known. He loved God, his family, and the people lucky enough to call him friend. He was kind and gentle, and he went out of his way to make people feel valued and appreciated. He was loving and sweet, and a talker who never met a stranger. My Nana and I have always teased him about his love of war stories and mowing the lawn - for those of you who knew him, you know he could talk your ears off about both.

My Papa was so selfless. He and my Nana gave up their retirements to raise me – a task that I can assure you wasn't always easy. He never complained, or acted like I was a burden, or like he was giving something up. He acted like my Nana, my mom, and I were his world – which we were. He made sure I never felt anything less than loved absolutely. As long as my Papa had his girls, his lawnmower, and a fishing pole, he was a happy man.

He was fiercely loyal, and loved wholeheartedly and without reservations. I am so incredibly lucky to have been a recipient of that love, and I will spend my life trying to share it with others. I will be truly blessed indeed if I can be half the person my grandfather was.

I want to say thank you on behalf of my grandmother and I – you all have been wonderful in your support and we appreciate it more than you know.

I'd like to end with reading a poem that my great aunt – my Papa's sister – wrote on Saturday after learning of his passing. Her name is Gail Whisnant, and this is her poem:

May 31, 2014

In the early morning hours, our brother passed today

His suffering and pain have now all gone away

Hearts are broken but his memory will live on

Knowing he is with God will make us strong

Russell was a good husband, father and paw paw

A true gentle person is what we all saw

A veteran, hard worker, friend to you and me

The kind of man you would want your son to be

Our prayer is for comfort for Kristin and Sue

May God lift you up and not let you be blue

For one day your family will again be complete

When we all leave this world and sit at Jesus' feet.

Rest In Peace, My Brother.