Josephine White Program

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O BITUARY “Well Done, My Good and Faithful Servant” On January 28, 2022 our hearts broke when,

Josephine White, our beautiful mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, peacefully transitioned at Kindred Hospital in Fort Worth, Texas, to be with The Lord. Josephine was born to the union of the late Andrew Minor and Ada (Larkin) Minor on December 3, 1941 in Rockford, Illinois. She was the eldest of seven children and as the eldest, she assumed the role as their second mother. Josephine was a hard worker and always strived to better herself. She graduated from Rockford East High School, received her associate degree from Rock Valley College, and later received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Rockford College at the age of fifty. As a single mother, it was important for her to show her kids the importance of hard work and education. She was the proud

mother of 5 children, Pierre White, Renée White, Renetta White, Capri White McLemore (Mark) and Sean White (Dwayne Stokley), all of whom were devoted children. She was affectionately called “Mother Bird” because she took so many people under her wing to help and to mentor. Josephine had spunk, her fighting spirit and compassion made her a trailblazer in social work. Her servant’s heart led her to advocate for single mothers, children, those marginalized and underserved. She was actively involved in helping to run the first Headstart Program in Rockford, Illinois. Given her communication skills and proposal writing abilities, she was instrumental in the Rockford Head Start Program being honored as the Best Head Start Program in the nation; and subsequently other Head Start Programs were modeled after the Rockford Head Start Program. Family and community meant so much to her that she also worked as an Outreach Worker for Community Action, helping the underprivileged obtain jobs, further their education and access to resources to improve their lives. She also wrote proposals while working for The West End Revitalization Council, that led to the opening of two group homes as well as Rockford’s first shelter for battered women and children. Upon moving to Texas, Josephine continued to fulfill her life's passion of servitude. As a successful grant writer, she wrote grants to help small business owners acquire much needed funds. She took a position at Union Gospel Mission where she mentored and championed single homeless mothers to accomplish their goals. She also worked at Texans Can Academies, where she took on the motherly role of ministering to and helping guide her students in their academic pursuits and life. Josephine loved life and lived life to its fullest. Anyone who was blessed enough to know her was honored to call her a friend. She had a heart of gold and approached life with strength, tenacity, and courage. She loved music, dancing, the arts, scary movies, and traveling. However, what she loved most was spending time with her family, friends and attending church; she was a longstanding member of St. John Church Unleashed, Southlake Campus. Sassy, funny, feisty, and witty Josephine left her beautiful imprint on everyone she touched, and we will all miss her dearly. Beloved by many, Josephine leaves behind her five children, many adored grandchildren, and great grandchildren, six devoted siblings, nieces, nephews, and a host of other family members and friends .

V IDEO T RIBUTE P ROCESSIONAL Final Glimpse til Glory & with Music Selections H YMN OF C OMFORT Psalmist S CRIPTURE R EADINGS Old Testament - Psalms 23 – Ms. Nicole Jackson New Testament - 2 Tim 4:6-8 – Ms. Lauren Minor M OTHER ’ S F AVORITE V ERSE Matthew 25:21 - Mr. Darien McLemore, Grandson

P RAYER OF C OMFORT Minister Angela Drake M USICAL S ELECTION Psalmist R ESOLUTION St. John Church

E XPRESSION OF L OVE Mr. Kim Minor, Brother of Josephine White

R EFLECTIONS OF L OVE Family and Friends

O BITUARY Read Silently M USIC S ELECTION Psalmist

W ORDS OF C OMFORT Pastor Denny D. Davis R ECESSIONAL Heaven, Mary Mary

I Am Free by Shannon Lee Moseley

Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free, I’m following the path God laid for me. I took His hand when I heard Him call, I turned my back and left it all. I could not stay another day, to laugh, To love, to work or play. Tasks undone must stay that way I’ve found that peace at the close of the day. If parting has left a void, then fill it with remembered joy.

A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss, Ah, yes, these things I too will miss. Be not burdened with times of sorrow I wish for you the sunshine of tomorrow. My life’s been full, I savored much Good friends, good times, a loved one’s touch. Perhaps my time seemed all too brief, Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief. Lift up your hearts and share with me, God wants me now, He set me free.

Perhaps you prayed the sincerest of prayers. Perhaps you sent lovely care or sat quietly in a chair.

Perhaps you spoke the kindest words as any friend could say. Perhaps you were not there at all just thought of us that day. Whatever you did to console our hearts, we thank you so much, whatever the part.

The Family of Josephine White 12/03/1941—01/28/2022

A CTIVE P ALLBEARERS

Deion Harris Jalil Gordon Oshick Shams

Derek McLemore Darien McLemore

Jacob Moreland H ONORARY P ALLBEARERS Phillip Jackson Dean Melchionni F INAL R ESTING P LACE Bluebonnet Hills Funeral Home & Memorial Park Colleyville, TX

Golden Gate Funeral Home