Eunice L. White

EUNICE BURNELL LAM was born on August 15, 1925 to Thomas Alexander Lam and Minnie Meadows Lam in their home on 205 Jackson Ave. in Elkton, Virginia. At the time of her birth, the annual “Field Day” parade was going past her house and the doctor told her mother that he was missing the parade to help bring her baby into the world.

Their family attended the St. Paul’s E.U.B. Church in Elkton, where her father arrived early to unlock the church doors for services. Many times he would put Eunice on his shoulders so she could help ring the bell to announce the time for worship to begin.

Eunice was the youngest of five children. Two sisters died in their childhood, one at 8 years, and one at 11 months. As a child, Eunice began taking piano lessons from her Sunday school teacher, and practiced one hour in the morning, and one hour in the afternoon. She often mentioned her mother’s strict practicing schedule excluded her from sled riding or playing ball with the neighborhood children, which she so longed to do. She was thankful however that she was given that discipline to do that as a young child as it began a lifelong love to play music. As often as they could throughout their life, her sister Ola and she would sit at the piano and play music side by side. Their favorites to play together were: “How Great Thou Art”, “Happiness Is”, and “That Lucky Ole Sun”. Her brother, Stuart passed at age 48, and the oldest sister, Ola lived to age 91.

Eunice attended local schools and graduated from Elkton High School in 1942.

Eunice met Edwin Ward White at Mrs. Rawl’s boarding house when they both attended National Business College in Roanoke, Virginia. Eunice was smart, dedicated to her studies, and active on the girls softball team. Twice she saw the Rev. Dr. Billy Graham in person in a large amphitheater also in Roanoke. Edwin was immediately smitten with her, (though he teased her for years that he was equally attracted to her bicycle and her typewriter)! They were married on New Year’s Eve, in 1943 at the home of a local pastor, his wife, and their family dog in attendance.

With farming in Edwin’s blood, the two looked for a farm to buy, and on the prompting of a pastor who had heard of some farms for sale in the Eastern Panhandle of WV, they chose a 157 acre farm in the community of Greensburg in the Opequon District in Martinsburg, WV in 1956. They were immediately befriended by local orchardist, Glenn Welsh, and were invited to services at the Greensburg E.U.B. Church where his mother played the piano. Upon the failing health of his mother, Eunice began playing the piano for Sunday school and Worship, which she continued to do for over 40 years. Eunice immediately began working at the Veterans Administration Center in Martinsburg and retired in 1985 as a Section Chief of Ward Administration.

Edwin and Eunice raised three daughters on this 157 acre farm, supported by the help of a neighborhood family friend, Waunita Siler, who became a live-in caregiver and household helper for the children, and ultimately grandchildren, and Eunice’s mother who came to live with them at the end of her life.

Eunice’s first love was her Lord & Savior Jesus Christ, and made no hesitation to tell anyone of that fact. All of the children and grandchildren, all Sunday school classes she taught, or Bible studies she led, were told of the love and redeeming grace given to them by the shedding of Christ’s blood on the cross, and the salvation that was theirs by their repentance of sin and acceptance of Him into their hearts and lives. Whether it was Eunice and her daughters singing around the piano at home, whistling throughout the house, or practicing the hymns for Sunday services, Eunice kept the farmhouse filled with the music of her commitment to her God and His church. She developed close ties to many pastoral families throughout these active years, and worked alongside all of them in many administrative and hands-on capacities. She held many and varied rolls within the church, to include besides pianist and back up organist: choir member, Sunday school teacher, member of the United Methodist Women, Bible study teacher, Building fund Chair, Member of Trustees, Ad Board secretary, Certified Lay Speaker, Lay Member to Annual Conference and Lay Leader.

She loved her family and supported them in their choices and decisions. She supported them through many hardships, times of grief and loss, as well as attending many weddings, graduations, and birthday parties. The family gatherings at the farm at Christmas Eve and Easter, were a beloved and cherished time together, where she prepared her much requested potato salad.

Eunice eventually would come to see her youngest grandchild, Edward, accept the call to full time Christian ministry, and support him throughout his Bible college education. She attended services at several churches where he served as Youth Pastor and Pastor.

As her health began to fail, Eunice moved from the farm to live with her grandson Darrion, and his family for several years, and in July 2016 made a permanent move to her daughter Connie and husband Ron’s home in Kearneysville, WV. Edwin drove himself the 15 minute drive from the farm every day to visit for several hours with Eunice at their home. With the support of dear friends, Connie and husband Ron, were able to transport Eunice via handicapped van in her wheelchair to Sunday services for several years. These outings meant the world to her. Edwin passed at the farm home from complications to a stroke in May of 2018 at age 97.

Eunice lived out her final days, though confined to a bed; with a big smile, healthy appetite, and a penetrating look of love in her eyes to all who visited her. She enjoyed watching “The Andy Griffith Show” and “Jeopardy” on T.V. She never missed the online church services, and looked forward to the faithful visits of her Pastor, Dr. Edward Grove, of Greensburg-Mt. Wesley UMC. Her days were brightened by the presence and companionship of her feline friend, “Jack”. They were pretty much inseparable. As long as she was able, she spent much time reading cards and notes from her church family and the church’s newsletter. She had helped to compile a book entitled “The Dean Mountain Story”: the history of the portion of the Blue Ridge Mountains at Swift Run Gap that is now the Sky-Line Drive in the Shenandoah Valley. In the 1930’s, her grandparents, along with 450 other families; consisting of at least 2,000 men, women, and children were displaced to build the Sky-Line Drive. This book tells their story, and contains pictures of Eunice’s grandparents, her mother, and extended family.

Eunice’s last hours in this world were spent listening to Christian hymns, selected scripture verses ready by family and friends, and receiving prayers of peace, comfort, assurance and release to the arms of her Savior. In the early morning hours of September 3, 2021, without a trace of discomfort or anxiety, she took her residence into the home that had been prepared for her by the God that she had served her entire life.

Eunice is survived by daughters, Patricia Gail (Loren) Christophel, Connie Sue (Ron) Grosjean, and Carol Annette White. Grandchildren, Darrion (Tanya) Clemons, Heidi (Tommy) Metcalf, Kendra (Curtis) Keese, Shawn (Jody) Riker, Cameron (Adel) Riker, Joses James, and Edward (Nicole) White. Niece, Dorothy Pumphrey, and daughter Debbie Haluska. She has 18 Great-grandchildren, and two Great great grandchildren.

Visitation services will be held Tuesday, September 7, 2021 from 6-8 pm at Rosedale Funeral Home, 917 Cemetery Road, Martinsburg, WV and Celebration of Life service on Wednesday, September 8, 2021 at 11:00 am in Rosedale’s Chapel.

Donations to her memory can be made to: Greensburg United Methodist Church, 2203 Greensburg Road, Martinsburg, WV 25404.