White

Josephine “Jo” Ella White was born on Nov. 2, 1920, in Cisco, Eastland County, Texas, the daughter of Oscar Thomas White and Mary Elizabeth “Bessie” Denson White. Jo entered into eternal rest on Feb. 8, 2026, at the age of 105 years.

When Jo was 22 months old, she moved with her parents to Bee County, where she grew up, and believe it or not, she remembered an incident of that trip to Bee County in the late summer of 1922. She graduated from high school in Beeville in 1938 and then moved with her family to San Antonio where her mother’s large family was living. She had completed a secretarial training course, and on Jan. 16, 1939, she went to work for family friend, Dr. Thomas E. Christian. Dr. Christian taught her medical terminology, office nursing and general patient management skills. From his accountant, she learned basic accounting which proved to be important for future positions she held. She worked for Dr. Christian before and all during WWII. Her duties there were very similar to those of the present-day Physician’s Assistant.

On Nov. 23, 1940, she married Melvin Ashley White (no kin), a native San Antonian. Their first son, David Ashley White, was born on Dec. 11, 1944, and second son, Daniel Allen White, was born on Feb. 28, 1948.

The White family moved to Harlingen in 1950. Their son, Jonathan Edward White, was born Nov. 2, 1952, and then they moved to Brownsville in 1952. Jonathan contracted bulbar polio and died Oct. 31, 1955, while on the waiting list for the Salk polio vaccine. The family moved to Alice in 1957, and Jo was able to attend night classes at Texas A&I University (Kingsville). In November 1962, Melvin was transferred to Houston and the family joined him in June 1963.

In Houston, Jo worked as an Administrative Assistant at Sam Houston Memorial Hospital, Rosewood Hospital, and Texas Women’s Hospital. Melvin retired in 1979 after 41 years with Southwestern Bell Telephone Company, and Jo and Melvin moved to their farm in Hill County, northeast of Waco. In 1993, they sold their farm and moved to La Grange.

In Brownsville, Alice, Houston, and Hillsboro, the Whites had been active members of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Jo, as historian of Central Christian Church in Hillsboro, is credited with writing a twovolume history of that historic church. In 2004, she published her book, “Sunbonnet Angels: Hitch Your Wagon to a Star.” She had worked on the manuscript many years earlier.

Besides being an active member of First Presbyterian Church in La Grange, Jo was a member of the Fayette Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, Daughters of the American Revolution, and of course, she was a Daughter of the Republic of Texas. She was a member of the Friends of Monument Hill State Park, where her ancestor, John Wesley Scallorn, is buried. She was a sixth generation Texan on several lines and was proud of her Texas heritage. She had been interested in the restoration of historic cemeteries which contain the remains of her ancestors, namely Woods Prairie Cemetery and Old Plum Grove Cemetery. Jo loved art and good music. She enjoyed reading, gardening, cooking, and genealogy, but most of all, she loved her family and friends. She thought it was wonderful to live in La Grange.

Jo is preceded in death by her parents, her brothers, Joyel White, Lonnie Mack White and Ray Jack White, her sister, Edith May “Tiny” White Strauch, her husband, Melvin Ashley White, their son, Jonathan Edward White, and her daughter-in-law, Janet Clark White.

She is survived by her sons, Dr. David Ashley White (Alan) of Houston, and Dr. Daniel Allen White, of La Grange, her grandchildren, Scottson Clark White, John Patrick Clark White (Sara), Mary Kathrine Clark White Gunn (Seth), Anne Elizabeth Clark White (Federico), and her seven great-grandchildren, Carter White, Clark White, Patrick White, Oliver Gunn, Shepherd Gunn, Louisa Rossano, and Luca Rossano, her sister-in-law, Peggy White, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins whom she loved dearly.

Jo’s funeral will be held at First Presbyterian Church, 205 S. Franklin, La Grange, on Feb. 19, 2026, at 3 p.m., with the Reverend Gordon Butler officiating. A reception at the church will follow. A private burial will take place at 11 a.m. on Feb. 20, 2026, at San Fernando Cemetery III, 1735 Cupples Road, San Antonio.

The family wishes to thank all of the dedicated staff of Care Inn and Jefferson Place of La Grange. The family gives special thanks to Glenda Genzer for her constant care and friendship to Jo over the last several years.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of La Grange.

Family and friends can view and sign the guestbook online at www.lagrangefunerals. com.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Koenig-Belvill Funeral Home & Cremations in La Grange.