Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Gwendolyn Beall White
Gwendolyn Beall White
went home to be with the Lord on February 16, 2012, after an extended illness.
Mrs. White is survived by her husband, H. Laban White, and two daughters, Diane White Slaughter and her husband Gary Slaughter and Carol Ann White. Surviving are five grandchildren, Melissa Gutshall McCullough, Traci Stumpo Terango, Jennifer Stumpo Duarte, Joshua Laban Gutshall and Gabrielle Gutshall Vick; and 13 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her daughter, Linda White Stumpo, and granddaughter, Tina Nicole Stumpo.
Gwen was born in Mobile, Alabama, on August 12, 1918, the daughter of the late Frank M. Beall and Lenore Huffman Beall, where she lived until she was 5 years old.
She was one of eight children, with her twin brother Desmond dying at an early age.
She grew up in Gilmer County, where she graduated from Glenville State College.
Gwen taught in West Virginia, particularly in Harrison County with the Head Start Program and with all grade levels and later served as a librarian after getting her master’s degree from West Virginia University.
Mrs. White was an active community leader in many area clubs and organizations. She was a lifetime member of the Clarksburg League for Service. She was a past president of Alpha Delta Kappa, an educators honorary organization; also a member of the American Association of University Women and a member of the Retired Teachers Association. She was active with the Harrison County Community Chorus and the Cultural Arts Foundation.
Gwen was a member of Stagecrafters, performing in many productions at the Clarksburg Art Center and Bridgeport Civic Center.
Mrs. White was an active member of the Clarksburg Baptist Church, where she was involved with the American Baptist Women’s group as a leader and teacher.
Gwen met her husband, Laban White, while performing in Summer Theater in Glenville, WV. Laban said she was the only one who could keep up with his dancing, and they’ve been dancing together for 68 years, having married on December 23, 1943.
Gwen sang throughout the years with her brother, Frank Beall’s orchestra/band and with bands in the area and played the lead in the local production of “Mame.”
The family would also like to thank the wonderful care given to Gwendolyn by her caregivers, Minnie Costello, Robin Gonzalez, Kathy Richison, Connie Swiger, Kathy Lockett, Susan Layton, Lisa Pitts and People’s Hospice nurses, particularly Diane Lou.
Family and friends were received at the Davis Funeral Home, One Olen Thomas Dr./Rt. 98, Clarksburg, from 2:00 - 8:00 PM Sunday, where services were held Monday, February 20, 2012, at 10:00 AM with the Reverend David Hulme officiating.
Interment followed in the Floral Hills Memorial Gardens.
Community • Gilmer County • Glenville • Obituaries | In Memory of • Permalink
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