Donald Wayne White

Abingdon, VA - Donald Wayne White, age 73, passed on Saturday, August 13, 2022, at the Mountain Home VA Community Living Center. After battling cancer for over ten years, he passed peacefully into Heaven, surrounded by loved ones while lifted up in prayer by his Christian brothers and sisters. He was born July 2, 1949, in Scott County to the late Lucy Jane Moore and Arthur Linzy White. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Linzy Gary White.

Those left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 22 years, Sylvia Cole White; son, Michael White and wife Heather; granddaughter, Hayden; sister, Linda Charlotte Jones and husband John; brother, Everette White; nieces and a nephew; and several cousins.

Donald enjoyed gardening as much as he took pleasure in giving it away. As a member of First Christian Church of Abingdon, he would often be seen carrying in bags of his harvest. Over the years, many of the children there knew him as the treat man, whether it be a dollar or piece of candy. When it came to strangers, he never met one, and if you knew him, you had his devotion for life. This resilient veteran was a compassionate, gentle, and humble man. His faith in Christ was intense, however, as well as his devotion as a husband, dad, grandpa, brother, and uncle. Family ties were strong for Donald. Many hours were spent climbing up the family tree on Ancestry, where he excitedly extended his line of cousins. He never turned his head from family, or hard work either. He was always willing to lend a helping hand at home, or on the job. Much of his career was spent at Columbus McKinnon, where he forged friendships for a lifetime. Donald’s life was full and well loved.

As a proud veteran of the United States Army, Donald served during operations in the Vietnam Conflict. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 1994, and the Disabled American Veterans James E. Peters Chapter #57.

The family would like to make special recognition and appreciation to those that supplied special care for Donald these last few years; Dr. Tamarro Taylor, MD, Dr. Christine Adler, PhD, Dr. Andrew Turrisi, III, MD, and all of the nurses and staff of the James H. Quillen Mountain Home VA.

Visitation with the family will be held 1-2 p.m. Saturday, August 20, 2022, at First Christian Church, 185 Old Jonesboro Road, Abingdon, VA. Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. at the church with Minister Tom Crise officiating. Entombment will follow in the Serenity Gardens Mausoleum of Forest Hills Memory Gardens with military rites conducted by Highlands Veterans Honor Guard and the Virginia Army National Guard. Those serving as pallbearers will be Darris White, Lee White, Gary Cole, Scott Clawson, Kenny Schweitzer, and Kenny Pope. Honorary Pallbearers will be Charles Preston White, Jr., Tom McCann, Danny Rock, Doyle White, William W. Cole, and Wayne Lambert.

Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com and signing the online guest register. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make donations to the charity of your choice.

The family of Donald Wayne White is being cared for by Farris Funeral Service & Crematory, 427 East Main Street Abingdon, VA 24210, (276) 623-2700.