Carmen Alexander White

Carmen Alexander (C.A.) White, 93, passed away peacefully on Saturday evening, after a full, fruitful, and generous life. Born on December 17, 1919, in Greene County, as one of 11 children to Herman S. and Etta Armstrong White, C.A. graduated from Baileyton High School and earned numerous professional certificates. He served honorably in the United States Army from October 1941 through February 1946 earning the rank of Staff Sergeant, Communications. He then worked as a master electrician and supervisor for 32 years at Bays Mountain Construction Company and for 4 years at Eastman Kodak, retiring at age 62 and a half. He was honored in 2005 as a fifty-year member of the Baileyton Masonic Lodge, # 520. C.A. attended Glenwood Baptist Church.

C.A. was a man of particularly strong character and intelligence. A down to earth man, C.A. had an interest in and excelled in a remarkable number of aspects of life. These included a passion for nature and a love of gardening, fishing, reading, music, dancing, crossword puzzles, and fixing and improving almost anything. He was an avid Lady Vol basketball fan and had twice served as guest coach. He loved his country and he also enjoyed helping people, which he did until he passed.

But most of all C.A. was a dedicated and beloved family man, an anchor to a large extended family. He was devoted completely to and survived by his wife of 58 years, Jean Bush White. They lived together in the home they built themselves in Kingsport. He was adored by his two daughters, Pamela Tolliver Painter, of Kingsport, and Penny J. White, of Knoxville and Johnson City. C.A. extended his love and devotion far beyond his wife and daughters to his four grandchildren, Amber Price, Kingsport; Jarrett Painter, Telford; Shannon Painter, Kingsport; and Tasha Harris, Clayton, N.C. and his 16 great grandchildren, and enjoyed their company. As a brother, he was a pillar both to those siblings who survive him, Charles of Greeneville, Don White of Baileyton, Edythe Rutledge of Fall Branch, and Selma Johnson of Greeneville, as well as those who did not, Ruby Simmons, Elva Dawson, Denver, Velma, J.L. and Maxine White. He was also a proud uncle to the children and grandchildren of each. In addition, he was grateful, as is his family, for the love of his many friends and caregivers. This extraordinary, inspiring man will be missed by all.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 -7:00 at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Home, Kingsport, Tennessee, on Tuesday, May 7. A service will follow at 7:00, with the Reverend Crystal Salyers Smith, officiating. Burial will take place at the Bethany Free Will Baptist Church, Chuckey, TN on Wednesday, May 8, at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Baileyton Masonic Lodge #520, 365 Brunner Street, Baileyton, TN 37745 or to the Bethany Free Will Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 625 Bethany Road, Chuckey, TN 37641.