Sam A. White

"To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven. A time to be born and a time to die". Ecclesiastes 3:1-2

Samuel Alvin White, 88, of Quitman, peacefully received the Lord's "Well Done Thy Good and Faithful Servant" on Sunday afternoon July 30, 2017. Sam was born near the Cana and Myrtle Springs communities just a few miles northwest of Quitman to Oscar and Buena Wright White on November 14, 1928.

A native East Texan, Sam was raised in the Cana and Myrtle Springs communities near where he was born. He was the fourth child and only boy born to Oscar and Buena White. For his first few school years Sam attended Cana School, and then spent some years in Mineola, and a few more years in Quitman, never really straying out of Wood County until he joined the Army in 1952 when he served in Japan and Korea in the 24th Infantry, 52nd Field Artillery.

Upon his return to Quitman in 1954, Sam attended Tyler Junior College where he learned machining and welding. Using those skills, he went to work in the oilfield for Caska, which eventually became Farmland Industries. He was employed there for 30 years. He was married to Jimmie Jo White over 55 years, who preceded him in death in August 2010.

He is survived by his son Shannon White and wife Jan, daughter Sheree Mize and husband Jerry Bruce, his four grandsons, who absolutely adored him: Michael and Jaclyn Mize, Shawn White and Nicole White, Brian and Stephanie White, and Cody and Mandy Mize. In addition, nine great grandchildren who loved their "SamPaw" dearly: Brooke, Katelyn, Abbey, and Macy Mize, Taylor White, Lainey and Samuel Ryder White, and Rylan and Rhett Lester. Sam is also survived by several nieces and nephews who were very special to him.

In addition to his wife Jo and his parents, he was preceded in death by three sisters, Oleta Stevens, Lavelle Ingram, and Ozella Stanberry.

In his grandson Cody Mize's tribute to him he wrote the following:

It is hard when you lose one of your heroes and a man that played an irreplaceable role in the family. Sam lost his father when he was three years old. He witnessed first-hand the Great Depression through his own eyes as a child, served his country in the United States Army during the Korean War, was married for over 55 years, and personally shared his faith with all of his family boldly because he knew what mattered most. He lived out his faith publicly by the many acts of random kindness he performed, his help to those less fortunate, and his willingness to donate countless hours to help a variety of organizations to raise money for a good cause. He loved people and they loved him. God was merciful to Sam even through death as he was only sick for a little over 24 hours. On Sunday afternoon, July 30, 2017 he was reunited with several family members, friends, and I know he was excited about seeing Jesus first and foremost because he made it all possible.

Sam loved gardening and was a great horticulturist. He loved old westerns, especially John Wayne movies and he watched Gunsmoke every day. Sam was blessed with an excellent memory and was a great historian. He had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to tell stories and never met a stranger.

Over the years Sam has cooked beef and chicken stew, fried fish, made chili, and barbecued for many masses. He has cooked for many charitable organizations including the Quitman and Hainesville volunteer fire departments, Golden Sweet Potato Festival, Masonic Lodge, Alba Golden School, Wood County Agriculture Show, Quitman Pilot Club and the list goes on.

Sam was a member of Myrtle Springs Baptist Church and remained active until his passing. He loved his church family.

Funeral services for Sam are scheduled for 10:00 AM Friday, August 4, 2017 at Myrtle Springs Baptist Church with Brother Michael Mize, Brother Cody Mize, Brother Fred Morrow, and Brother Rick Ellington officiating.

Visitation is scheduled for Thursday afternoon from 6:00-8:00 PM at Lowe Funeral Home.

Serving as pallbearers are Michael Mize, Cody Mize, Shawn White, Brian White, Marion Stanberry, Charles Cain, Joe Doyle Reynolds, and Michael Kirby.

Honorary pallbearers are Taylor White, Rex Ingram, Billy Wayne White, Mack White, Doyle White, Pee Wee Sims, and the Hainesville Fire Department.