Virginia Ann White

Virginia Ann Williams White, 77, entered the mansion her Lord and Savior prepared for her on August 5, 2024, in Ocean Springs, MS. Ann was preceded in death by her parents, Edison and Gladys Williams; her husband, Arthur Wayne White; her brother, Edison Murphy Williams, Jr., and her sister-in-law, Cathy Williams. 

Known as “Ann” to her family and friends, Ann was born in Picayune, MS, on March 17, 1947. She played many roles during her life, such as daughter, wife, and big sister to three brothers, but the roles she was born to play were those of Momma and Nanny. 

Ann graduated from Picayune Memorial High School and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Southern Mississippi. While in college, she married Arthur “Wayne” White, and after teaching for a few years at the same school from which she graduated, the couple moved to the Gulf Coast in 1972 when Wayne began his employment at Ingalls Shipbuilding. Shortly thereafter, Ann was contacted by Jackson County Schools to take part in a pilot program at St. Martin North Elementary to help struggling readers. She later taught for several years at D’iberville High School as a member of the business department. After taking time off to raise a family, she worked as church secretary for many years at Big Ridge Baptist Church, where she and Wayne sang in the church choir, taught Sunday School classes, and took part in various ministries. 

When her children were younger, Ann was involved in all of their extracurriculars, from faithfully driving Carrie to the skating rink and library to attending every sports event that Doug and her grandsons were a part of. Later on, Ann enjoyed genealogy research and collected an impressive family history that went back decades. After her husband’s death, she longed for a furry companion to fill the silence of a once busy home. Ozzy, her beloved Dachshund, was her faithful companion until he crossed the Rainbow Bridge last year. We don’t know how he spent the first two years of his life, but he adored his human and enjoyed unconditional love and plentiful treats for the next 15 years with her. 

It is impossible to fit everything she was into this space, but Ann, who ate dessert first, made the best pot roast dinners, checked every item on her Winn-Dixie receipt, and always, always drove under the speed limit, is survived by her children, Carrie White Shields and Douglas “Doug” Wayne White (Ashleigh); her grandchildren, Kyle (Ciera) White, Griffin Shields, Avree White, and Rylee White; her great-grandchildren, Emma White and Maddux White; her brothers, Seth Williams (Chrissy); Charlie Williams (Judy); her sister-in-law, Jackie Worthy; her nephews and nieces, Jeremy Williams (PJ), Edison Williams (Kim), Dustin Williams (Rachel), Brett Williams (Laura Beth), Lizzie Bishop-Williams (Leah), Mike Worthy (Stephanie), and Tana Cramp (Edi); and numerous cousins, great nieces, and great nephews whom she loved dearly. 

Visitation for friends will be at Riemann Funeral Home on Lemoyne Blvd, West Jackson, on Friday, August 9 from 10 AM to 12/noon. A private graveside service will follow at 3 pm at New Palestine Cemetery in Picayune, MS. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations to The Alzheimer’s Association Mississippi Chapter at alz.org/ms.   

The Riemann Family Funeral Home, 13872 Lemoyne Blvd, in West Jackson County is proudly serving the White family. Please share memories, condolence and photos at www.riemannfamily.com.