Louise Felts White

Louise Felts White, 76, of Johnson City, Tennessee, passed away on September 20, 2024, following a brief battle with cancer. Mrs. White was predeceased by her husband of 56 years, Dr. Larry R. White, and is survived by son, James Conrade White (Sissy) of Hudson Oaks, Texas, and grandsons Campbell, Durham and Garrett; daughter Amanda White Charlton (John) of Columbia, South Carolina, grandson Isaac Charlton (Kitty) of West Point, Mississippi, and granddaughters Ansley and Emma Charlton; and, brother-in-law, Robert White (Laura) of McDonough, Georgia. She is also survived by a nephew, Drew White, of Marietta, Georgia, and several grand nephews.

Irma Louise Felts was born in Greenville, Mississippi, to William and Irma Felts of Indianola, Mississippi. Louise was one of the first female students admitted to the College of Business at Mississippi State University (MSU) in Starkville, and she subsequently became the first female graduate of the College of Business with a degree in accounting. While in college, she met the love of her life and fellow student, Larry White, and they married and began their life together while still students at MSU.

Following their respective graduations, her husband was commissioned as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy, and the young couple lived in Key West, Florida, and Norfolk, Virginia during Larry’s active service. Upon his separation from active duty, Louise and Larry relocated to Athens, Georgia, where Larry pursued graduate degrees at the University of Georgia.

The couple moved to Monroe, Georgia, where Larry began working in commercial banking before launching an academic career that took them to faculty positions in Mobile, Alabama, at the University of South Alabama, back to Starkville and Mississippi State, and, finally, to East Tennessee State University (ETSU) in Johnson City, Tennessee, where they remained until his retirement in 2022 from ETSU, and their subsequent deaths, just over a year apart. Throughout their various relocations, Louise continued to utilize her professional background in accounting to work in various accounting and finance positions in banking and education.

Louise was a proud and devoted parent and grandparent, and her family and many friends will sorely miss her.

A Celebration of Louise and Larry’s lives will be scheduled at a later date.