Cassie White

Cassie Lee Flanigan White, the daughter of the late Ezekiel Flanigan and Rachel Flanigan Williams, was born in Dothan, Alabama on January 20, 1924. At a young age her family relocated to Pocahontas, Virginia. It was there that Cassie would often return in her memories to reflect on her family's history. While in Pocahontas her father found employment in the coal mining industry and her family worshipped at Pocahontas Baptist Church. She would often share stories about her father's death in a coalmine and how her family would take in laundry to supplement their income. Her family later went on to open a restaurant where she managed the financial end of the business by maintaining control of the cash register. Due to her race, she was not permitted to attend Pocahontas High School. As a result, her mother hired a driver to transport her to Tazewell County High School, nine miles away. It was from there that she graduated as valedictorian at the age of sixteen. When it was time for her to attend college in Petersburg, Virginia at Virginia State College for Negroes now known as Virginia State University, the entire town closed to escort her to the train station to wish her well. While a student there, she worked cleaning bathrooms to offset the cost of tuition. After attaining her Bachelor of Arts degree in English at the age of twenty, she returned to Pocahontas only to learn that despite having an advanced degree, the townspeople would not offer her employment due to her race. As a result, she sought employment in Henry County, Virginia where she began teaching in a segregated one-room school. Subsequently, she was assigned to teach English at George Washington Carver High School in Martinsville, Virginia. She would often share fond memories of founding "The Elh Conip's" social club, which is Pinochle spelled backwards. While in Martinsville, a colleague suggested that she seek summer employment in Townsend, Delaware at the Rodney Hotel. Sight unseen, the owner, Mr. Weatherly hired Cassie as a barmaid. It was there that she met Rudolph Henry White, Sr. who she married in May 1963. They then made their home in Dover, Delaware. One son, The Reverend Rudolph H. White, Jr., was born of this marital union. Several years later, the family became members of Whatcoat United Methodist Church where Cassie not only served as an Attendance Register but also as a Communion Steward. Cassie became a middle school teacher in the Capitol School District and taught at Central Middle and William Henry Middle Schools for more than 20 years. She even taught her own son when he was in the 6th grade. During her final year of employment, just before she retired, she was named "Teacher of the Year" at William Henry Middle School. One of her proudest accomplishments was earning a Master's of Arts degree in Education from Delaware State University. She also became a member of Phi Delta Kappa, an educational sorority and was a founding member of the Steppin' Seniors at the Modem Maturity Senior Center in Dover. Some of her most memorable moments were when she attended Centennial United Methodist Church where her son is appointed as pastor and where she was fondly known as "Mother White." She could be seen on many a Sunday walking up and down the aisles of the church before service sharing inspirational cards and red and white colored soft peppermints with members of the congregation. Cassie transitioned peacefully from this life several hours after celebrating her 93rd birthday in her home surrounded by family. Cassie is survived by her son, Rudolph Henry White, Jr., his wife Vernette, her grandson, Gavin Tyler White, her niece Dana Lee Madkins, her nephew David Michael Austin, his wife Teresa Austin, great nephew David Austin, Jr., her great nieces Myiesha Harris, Angel Watkins and her husband Raymond Watkins, four great- great nieces AIidrea Watkins, Angunique Watkins, Amyra Harris and Aliyah Harris, several cousins, Mary Virginia Belcher, Nell Prunty, Eugene Randall and Willie Mae Stewart, sister-in-law Vera Chism and her husband, Earl and their children Kenny and Lisa, stepchildren Flossie Rollerson, Lorain Richards, Waldon White, step-grandchildren, Claudette Booker, Tiffanye Rollerson and Waldon White, Jr., and many other close family members and friends. Both her husband Rudolph H. White, Sr. and her sister Willie Mae Austin with whom she shared a close and loving relationship preceded her in transitioning to The Church Triumphant. Lovingly submitted by: The Family To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Cassie White, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.

Cassie White

January 20, 1924 - January 20, 2017