Betty "Jeanne" White

Jeanne White died peacefully on July 5, 2012 at John Knox Village Hospice House, surrounded by her family. Services will be 10:00 a.m. Tuesday July 10, 2012 at Speaks Suburban Chapel 18020 E 39th St. Independence, MO. Visitation will be Monday, July 9, from 6-8 p.m.
Jeanne lived a fulfilling 85 years as a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. Along with her husband, Thomas M. White, she owned White’s Collection Service where she also acted as office manager.
Jeanne’s early years were spent growing up in Browning, Missouri. After the family lost their farm in the Depression, they moved to town. During high school she enjoyed playing the clarinet and being a forward on the basketball team. After graduation she moved to Independence and worked at Helzberg’s on the Square. Jeanne loved telling the story about meeting her future husband. Tom had been in a few times to order a new pair of glasses. She noticed him right away and thought he was awfully good looking, but she also thought he was a little cocky. When he came to her desk to leave a deposit for the glasses, she asked to see his ID. He just smiled and said she really didn’t need ID for a deposit, since he wasn’t taking the glasses with him yet. She knew that; she just wanted to irritate him. Instead of being irritated, he asked her out, and that was the beginning of a wonderful forty-three year relationship.
Jeanne loved to read. She spent many days reading books at Barnes and Noble where she could be seen drinking coffee and eating cookies between turning the pages of her books. Her family would often meet her there, completing her contentment. Her sweet disposition was her best quality and she befriended many people at the bookstore. She enjoyed spending the holidays and sharing meals with her family. Jeanne’s favorite vacations included fishing with her husband, visiting family, and spending time in Florida. In their retirement years, she and Tom enjoyed their trips to Europe. Jeanne loved putting together lovely, annotated albums about their journeys. As a member and supporter of the Community of Christ Church, she gave generously to those in need. Jeanne spent much of the past few years with her family.
Jeanne was preceded in death by her loving husband Thomas White. She is survived by her daughter, Diana and son-in-law, Steve Kornfeld; daughter, Pamela Cawthon; granddaughters, Nicole, Jennifer, and Bayley; and son-in-law, Robert Cawthon.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Jeanne’s name to the one of the following charities: The American Stroke Association; 208 S. LaSalle St. Ste 1500, Chicago, IL 60604, Smile Train at SmileTrain.org, or the Make-a-Wish foundation at Wish.org.