Funeral services for Clinton Martin White, 84, of Cornelia, will be held on Wednesday, August 19, 2015 at 3:00 p.m. at Whitfield Funeral Home, North Chapel in Demorest, followed by a private graveside service. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, August 18, 2015 from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Mr. White passed away on Monday, August 17, 2015, after an extended illness.
Born on the White family homeplace in Franklin County, Mr. White was the son of the late James Garnett (J.G.) and Violet Wilbanks White and big brother to his late sister, Ann White Bowman. He grew up on the family farm in Banks County and graduated from Banks County High School.
In 1950, Mr. White married his high school sweetheart, Betty Ann Jordan. In lieu of being drafted into the Army for the Korean War, he chose to enlist in the Air Force. He was initially stationed on Keesler AFB in Biloxi and was subsequently deployed to Okinawa, Japan. In the Air Force, Mr. White worked as an Electronic Countermeasures technician on B-29 aircraft. He enjoyed his work and became an Air Force technical instructor. He rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant.
After six years, Mr. White left the Air Force to attend Southern Technical College where he earned his engineering degree. Upon graduation, he moved with his wife and daughter to Centerville, Iowa, to work for the Iowa State Telephone Company as a plant engineer.
In 1963, Mr. White moved his wife and two daughters to Cornelia to begin his 33 year career with Standard Telephone Company. He enjoyed the telecommunications industry and the friendship of his colleagues at Standard. After retirement in 1996, he focused on his coin laundry, mini-storage businesses and the family farm.
Mr. White was a strong supporter of his church. He was a Sunday school teacher and a deacon. He was a member of planning and building committee for First Baptist Church of Cornelia. This was a family tradition. His father, Garnett, was on the planning and building committee for the Harmony Baptist Church sanctuary in Banks County.
Throughout his adult life, Mr. White had the talent to build or fix almost anything. His careful planning and attention to detail ensured the success of any project. He built commercial buildings, homes, cabins, a big red barn, a pond, a dock and refurbished many structures. Many sought his advice for their own projects. Even as very small children, all his grandchildren knew if something needed repair, “Papa can fix it.”
Mr. White is survived by his loving wife, Betty Jordan White; his daughters and sons in law, Teresa and Bob Walker of Flowery Branch, Jane and Joe Kitchens of Hollingsworth; 4 much loved grandchildren, Katie and Claire Kitchens and Clint and Jeff Walker; and his niece, Lynne Bowman Cox, of Gainesville.
The family gratefully acknowledges the loving care and support provided by all of Mr. White’s devoted caregivers: Farrah Baker, Brenda Bates, Mimi Brantley, Julianne Hutchinson, Janifer Smith and the staff at Magnolia Hills.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial gifts to Cornelia First Baptist Church , Harmony Baptist Church Cemetery Fund or a tribute gift to https://give.psp.org/ in Mr. White’s memory.
Arrangements are in care of Whitfield Funeral Home, North Chapel, Demorest, Georgia. 706-778-1700
Those wishing to express online condolences to the White family may do so by visiting www.whitfieldfuneralhomes.com.
