Ralph J. White

Ralph J. White, age 77, of Powdersville, S.C. and formerly of Bristol, Tenn., went to be with the Lord on Thursday, January 24, 2019, at Johnson City Medical Center.  He was born September 7, 1941, in Sullivan County, Tenn. to the late William White and Birdie King White.  Ralph worked for Pittston Coal Company until their closure and worked with Winn-Dixie as a Prestige Manager until his retirement.  He and his wife, Theda, attended Gospel Baptist Church in Bristol, Va. for 40 years before relocating to Greenville, S.C. in 2009 where they became members of Agnew Road Church of God.     

In addition to his parents, Ralph was also preceded in death by two sisters, Shirley A. Crowder and Jenna Mae White; brother, Arthur White; and two infant great grandchildren.    

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Theda Combs White; two sons, Larry Wayne White and wife, Ava, of Vail, N.C. and Claude James White of Powdersville, S.C.; daughter, Theresa White of Greenville, S.C.; two brothers, Sgt. Donald White of New York and Glen White and wife, Eleanor, of Bristol, Tenn.; six grandchildren, Shawn, Keith, Crystal, Kyle, Alesha, and Allison White; and seven great grandchildren, Max, Jasmine, Evelyn, Lily, Bella, P.J., and Weston White.     

A funeral service will be held on Monday, January 28, 2019, at 2:00 p.m. at the Forest Hills Chapel of Farris Funeral Service, 19415 Lee Hwy., Abingdon, VA, with the Rev. Derrick Elgin, pastor of the Agnew Road Church of God, and Bro. Tommy Tester, pastor of Gospel Baptist Church, officiating.  Interment will follow in Forest Hills Memory Gardens where Barry Combs, Keith White, Kyle White, Max White, Shawn White, and Teddy White will serve as pallbearers.  Josh Roach will serve as an honorary pallbearer.  Visitation will be held on Monday from 12:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m. prior to the service at the Forest Hills Chapel.    

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, 4217 Park Place Ct., Glen Allen, VA 23060-9979, or flowers will be accepted. 

Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com and signing the online guestbook.  The family of Ralph J. White is being cared for by Farris Cremation and Funeral Center, 19415 Lee Hwy., Abingdon, VA 24210 (276-623-2700).