Estelle E Taliaferro White

Estelle E. Taliaferro White, 92, of Benton, passed away December 9, 2014. She was born October 25, 1922 , one of seven children born to Charles and Lucy Caroline Fenter Taliaferro. Mrs. White was a graduate of U of A Fayetteville with an education degree. During WWII, she and her sisters worked at the defense plant in Jacksonville. She began her teaching career in a one room school in the Sweet Home Community in Grant County. Mrs. White also taught in the Magnet Cove Schools. In 1948, she married the love of her life, Clemmie White and moved to Benton, opening Mrs. White's Kindergarten, where she loved and taught multiple generations of local children. After retiring from the kindergarten, Mrs. White devoted more time to art. She enjoyed all types of art and was an active member of the Saline County Art Guild, often serving as hostess for meetings. Some of her art work is currently on display at Saline Memorial Hospital. Mrs. White loved God's creation and spent many happy hours in her garden working and admiring her beautiful flowers. A visit to her garden would often result in plants to take home as she generously shared her bounty. Mrs. White and her husband were co-owners of White Furniture Company. She loved her church and was an active member of First Baptist Church, where she served as an usher for over fifty years. Until recent months, she could be found there every Sunday morning graciously welcoming members and guests to services nearly always with a hat on. Her first piano teacher was called to duty during WWII, interrupting her lessons. She was able to resume those lessons recently and could be found at the piano for hours each day. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Clemmie W. White, brothers, Carl, Wilburn and Charles D. Taliaferro and sisters, Clarice Reynolds, Velma Block and Oma Niles. Survivors: Son, William C. White and wife, Shannon, daughter, Deborah L. White, grandchildren, Lucy Caroline and Claire Elizabeth White all of Benton, sisters-in-law, Louise White of Malvern and Pat Taliaferro of Cabot, many nieces, nephews and friends. Church services by Ashby Funeral Home will be 11 a.m. Thursday at First Baptist Church in Benton with Dr. Rick Grant officiating. Burial to follow at Fairplay Cemetery. Visitation will be held 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. before services at First Baptist Church on Thursday. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church and the Saline County Art Guild. Mrs. White was a portrait in grace, elegance and strength, loved and respected by all who knew her. Online guest book at www.ashbyfuneralhome.com.