Avis Leora White

Avis was born in Ionia, Michigan on May 18, 1928, to Merle and Mary Rusnell. She married Don F. White, Jr., also of Ionia, in 1948. They lived briefly in Portland, Michigan before moving to Belleville, Michigan, where she spent most of her adult life. They raised their four children there, G. Michael White, John Patrick White, Mary D. Lindemann and Tim B. White.

Once she had raised her children Avis went to back to school, getting her Bachelor’s degree from Wayne State University and her Master’s degree from the University of Michigan. She taught elementary school children in the Belleville Community Schools for a decade before retiring. Many former students can gratefully attest to her dedication to her mantra that ‘every child is important and every child can learn if you just learn how to unlock their native curiosity.’

After retiring, Avis moved to Orleans Twp. to live on Long Lake at the family cottage. While there she volunteered as a tutor for the local school. She briefly moved back to Ionia before voluntarily moving into Pilgrim Manor (now MediLodge) in Grand Rapids. She did not want to make her children have to decide if, when and where to move her into assisted living. That was just who she was, always thinking of others.

Avis was always volunteering. For many years she devoted countless hours and dollars to support Girlstown (now Guiding Harbor) which offers therapeutic residential care for adolescent girls with emotional and/or behavioral problems that impact their ability to live with their families or in the community. She was also a long-time member of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs – Michigan, which founded Girlstown, and she served in various capacities for both organizations.

Avis was an active member and supporter of both the Belleville First United Methodist Church and the Ionia First United Methodist Church. She also lead the effort to create a city park on Belleville Lake, not only raising funds but also doing the dirty work of clearing trash and doing the plantings.

Yet Avis was not all work and no play. She also was an accomplished bridge player, often recruiting her children to play with her ladies’ group, and then getting frustrated when they forgot that a bid of three hearts was a signal under a convention, it did not mean she wanted to play or even had any hearts in her hand.

Above all, Avis was a loving wife and mother. She rarely missed a game, recital, award or graduation for her children, grandchildren or great grandchildren. To her dying day she religiously sent birthday cards to each of them. She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.

As her final act of sacrifice, Avis donated her body to the University of Michigan Medical School to assist in the education of future doctors. Hopefully her legacy of service will live on in their service to others.

There will be no general funeral service, per her request.

Those wishing to make a contribution in her memory may do so to the charity of their choice or to Guiding Harbor. guidingharbor.org