Charles Howard White, Sr., 58, of Savannah, died Monday, Sept. 12, 2005 at Hospice Savannah, Inc., surrounded by his loving family.
He was born February 28, 1947, the second child of Milton and Dorothy White of Clay County, Ga. His father was a share cropper during Charles early childhood years, and when he was six, his father took a job as a meat cutter in a local grocery store, while his mother worked in a sewing factory. Charles worked as a stock boy, clerk, auto repair person & service station attendant.
Charles at the age of twelve, accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, and was baptized the following Sunday in Vilulah Baptist Church, in Coleman, Ga.
In 1965, Charles began college at Ga Southwestern College in Americus, Ga, and four years later went to Baptist Bible Institute in Graceville, Fla, and then was encouraged to attend seminary.
Charles was a veteran of the Vietnam Conflict, having served in the US Army, and then enrolled at Mercer University, Atlanta and received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Religion in May 1973. He was awarded “Outstanding Student in the Department of Religion.” He then felt the Lord’s leadership to attend Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, NC, and he began his quest for the Master of Divinity Degree at Southeastern in September 1973. He received the Master of Divinity Degree in May 1976, and made plans to return to Georgia. It was at the Southern Baptist Convention in Houston, Texas in 1979, that he felt the Lord’s leadership in directing them to mission service. They became heavily involved in associational work, and learned many valuable lessons and avenues of service. He then enrolled in the Doctor of Ministry Program at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and earned my degree in May 1990. In the course work, while studying world religions and urban missions, he had the opportunity of additional clinical pastoral education. These studies proved to be the door which opened into the opportunity of certification as a Clinical Chaplain and proved to confirm there call into mission service.
His pastorates included, Pine Ridge Baptist Church, Zebulon, N.C. 1973-1976, Shiloh Baptist Church, Thomaston, Ga 1976-1981, First Baptist Church of Metter, Ga., 1981 – 1985, Immanuel Baptist Church, Savannah, Ga 1985 – 1990, Interim Pastor – Savannah Baptist Center, Savannah, Ga; Clinical Chaplain – Ga Regional Hospital, Savannah, Ga 1990 – 2005; Pastor Emeritus – Christ Baptist Church, Ellabell, Ga 1996 – 2005, Clinical Chaplain at Spanish Oaks Retreat, Vista Care Hospice, and Hospice Savannah, and Chaplain at Memorial Health Medical University.
He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Martha Katherine Lee White, Savannah, Ga; 2 sons & daughter in law, Howard & Karen White of Atlanta, Ga., and Bryan White of Savannah, Ga; sister & brother in law, Jacqueline W. & Larry Arnold of Kennesaw, Ga; and his favorite pet, “Lady Girl”, and 3 nephews.
Visitation: 5-7 p.m. Wednesday at the Hubert C. Baker Funeral Home.
Funeral Services: 7 p.m. Wednesday in the Chapel of the Hubert C. Baker Funeral Home, with Rev. Ted Kandler, officiating.
Further Visitation: 12 – 2 p.m. Thursday at Arbor Baptist Church at Fitzgerald, Ga.
Funeral Services: 2 p.m. Thursday at Arbor Baptist Church, with interment in Bethlehem Baptist Church Cemetery at Fitzgerald, Ga.
Remembrances: Charles White Memorial Fund, in care of Christ Baptist Church, 3580 Wilma Edwards Road, Ellabell, Ga 31308.