Obituaries

Clemmie White

Photo of Clemmie White
Clemmie W. White of Benton passed away peacefully on Saturday, Oct. 23 after a short illness. Born July 3, 1917 in Hot Spring County, he was a man of tremendous generosity, warmth of spirit and great humor who seldom forgot a face or a great story about life's important lessons. He was predeceased by his parents William C. White and Lona Eldridge White, and leaves behind to cherish his memory his wife of 65 years, Estelle Talliaferro White; his daughter Deborah Lynn White of Hot Springs; his son William and daughter-in-law Shannon White; and granddaughters Lucy Caroline and Claire Elizabeth White of Benton; and sister-in-law Louise White of Malvern. He survived three siblings, Lawrence White whose death preceded his by 100 years in July 1910, Norris White of Malvern, an honored veteran of World War II who died in 2005 and a sister, Dovie Finley of Poyen. His paternal grandparents settled in Glen Rose community in Hot Spring County after arriving by wagon train in the 1880s. His father co-founded the Glen Rose School. Mr. White left high school before graduating to help support his family during the Depression, returning at age 25 to complete his diploma. He attended the Draughon School of Business. He worked for AP&L and the U.S. Stove Company, which ceased production due to the dedication of metal for the World War II effort. He worked then for Massey Bakery in Malvern which perfectly fit his lifelong love for traveling the backroads and byways of Arkansas. He co-founded with his wife a day care center that served hundreds of Benton families for over 30 years. Mr. White joined Newbill Furniture Co. in Benton in 1949 and purchased the business in 1966, changing the name to White Furniture Company, building it into one of the state's most celebrated fine furniture retailers. The company remains a devoted family business managed by his daughter and son. Mr. White served his community as an alderman in the 1950s and 1960s. He was honored by the Arkansas Furniture Association as Retailer of the Year several times and was inducted into the group's Hall of Fame in 2008. He was a mainstay of Benton's First Baptist Church, serving in many capacities including most recently head of the usher staff, and was quick to point out to all he met that despite the growth of the congregation, "there's still plenty of pews right up at the front waiting for you." He co-founded the Southwest Water Association which was instrumental in bringing city water to rural areas in Saline County. He was on the Board of Directors of Fair Play Cemetery for over 60 years. He also served on several committees as well as the board of the Boy Scouts, the Benton Chamber of Commerce and numerous other civic organizations. He was deeply committed to the well-being of downtown Benton, to his employees and their families and to his customers. A hallmark of his generosity included trips to Hope for watermelons, to Harrison for apples, to Warren for tomatoes and throughout the state for peaches, all of which he passed out as thank yous to his customers and friends as they entered his store. Visitation will be held at Selph Hall at First Baptist Church of Benton, 211 S. Market St., on Monday evening, Oct. 25 from 5 until 8. Funeral services will be Tuesday, Oct. 26 at 10 a.m. at the church. Interment will follow at Fair Play Cemetery. Donations may be made in Mr. White's memory to First Baptist Church of Benton or Saline Memorial Hospital. Funeral arrangements by Ashby Funeral Home; online condolences at www.ashbyfuneralhome.com.

Published October 24, 2010

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