Mr. Larry Gene White

Visitation: 1pm-3pm, Wednesday, September 28, 2022 at Morton United Methodist Church.

Memorial Service: 3pm, Wednesday at Morton United Methodist Church.

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Larry Gene White, 68 was born in Pontotoc on May 15, 1954. He lived in Oxford, Batesville, and Sardis in his childhood years before moving back to Pontotoc his freshman year of high school. He attended Mississippi College, majoring in English/Communications. He was in Concert Choir and worked for the school’s radio station WHJT 93.5 FM.

He also traveled the state and led music for youth revivals. He was hired as music director at Valley Park Baptist Church in the delta and then at Shiloh United Methodist Church outside of Pelahatchie. He says joining a United Methodist Church was one of the best decisions he ever made; but the best decision he made was marrying Melinda, whom he met at Shiloh. He left MC, married Melinda, and entered the workforce. He started working at Wilson’s Jeweler’s, which then became Service merchandise for 12 years. He then moved to Dana Corporation in their Pelahatchie facility doing several different positions and worked there for 13 years. He then took the Logistics Manager job for Duro-last Roofing in Byram and worked there for 16 years until his retirement. In his retirement, Larry became a substitute teacher in the Rankin County Schools where he was loved by the students and the staff.

Even though Larry had many occupations over the years, his passion was always in the church. In 2016, He became a Lay Servant in the Mississippi Annual Conference and continued to lead music. He has preached in many churches, been on different conference committees, and held many positions in the local church. He has felt God’s call to preach and equip small churches for many years. It was in the last year that he truly found his calling as a lay assigned pastor with the Freeny and Sebastopol United Methodist Churches. He always had a passion for ministry, and no matter his occupation, church and Jesus were the center of his life. His love of Jesus was contagious, and he shared that love with everyone.

Larry was also a loving father. He and Melinda tried to have a baby for the first eight years of marriage. However, Melinda had several miscarriages. Finally, they had a miracle baby, a son, Rev. Justin White. Larry also had a special place in his heart for his “three girls” who he saw as his own daughters, even though they were not related by blood; Melanie Beam, Kristen Robinson, and Meagan Smith. He also loved “his” grandchildren.

Larry loved singing and had a beautiful voice. His favorite song to sing was “Give Me Jesus.” He also loved to sing “It Is Well” while Justin played the piano. Larry loved fishing and telling tall tales about the big fish he had caught. There was no tale too tall, and there was no pond that he would not try to fish. Even though he attended Mississippi College, Larry was a huge Ole Miss fan and was elated the Rebels finally won the baseball national championship this summer. He never passed up a good debate and was passionate about politics. He was very slow to anger and loved unconditionally. And he never passed up an opportunity to tell those he loved to be careful and that he loved them.

Larry is survived by his wife, Melinda, and son, Rev. Justin White of Stanwood, WA. He is also survived by his siblings Gilda Merriman of Sardis, MS; Tim White (Peggy) of Pontotoc, MS; Susie Jobe (Lynn) of Pontotoc, MS; Mickey White of Pontotoc, MS; Mother in law, Betty Warren, brothers in law Robert Warren (Shawn) and Richard Warren (Leigh); Numerous nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Garney and Margie White, and Father in Law, Joe (Papa) Warren.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to ERCO in Pelahatchie, MS and Shannon’s Hope in Brandon, MS.