Carlyle "Sam" White

Was born to Michael Samuel Albert White and Hannah Mildred White, née Briscoe, on August 14, 1930, in Port Antonio, Portland, Jamaica, West Indies. Carlyle affectionately called Sam by family and close friends, was the second child. He was preceded by older brother Clarence, and followed by Roy, Esther, and Oswald. Sam attended Jonestown Primary School and when the family moved to Kingstown, he attended North Street School. He worked as an apprentice in several trades: shoemaker, auto mechanic, Masonry, Carpentry, and Plumbing.

Sam courted the former Inez Nugent, after meeting her at church in Kingston, Jamaica. He built her a home and married Miss Nugent on August 16, 1960. The couple moved into the house in Kingston and grew their family to include Neville, Merlene, Marcia, Calvin, Dezreen, and Steven.

In 1967 Sam and Inez migrated to New York City, in the United States and within a few years added two more children to their brood, Paul and Maureen. While in New York, Sam joined the carpenter’s union and worked around the city on several real estate developments throughout the sixties and seventies. Sam helped to build Co-op City, Starette City, and Lefrack City, buildings on Coney Island and he even helped to build the twin towers at the World Trade Center.

In 1980, the family moved again this time to sunny Orlando, Florida. Sam acquired employment with Hubbard Construction, in Orlando. He worked for Hubbard for 10 ½ years, until he retired the first time. Not being a person used to sitting at home, he soon went out and acquired employment with the Orange County School Board. Sam worked at Boone High School as an environmental engineer for 12 ½ years, until he was finally forced to retire permanently.

Sam enjoyed gardening, cruising, cabinetry, and masonry work, reading his bible, and attending church. He was a deacon at North Orlando Seventh-Day Adventist Church for forty-four years, including a couple of tenures as head deacon. On most days, he could be seen working in his garden from sunup to sundown. He also enjoyed going to the gymnasium at least twice a week working out with his wife of nearly sixty-five years, who was also forced to retire against her wishes.

Sam leaves to mourn him: his wife, Inez White, née, Nugent; his eight children and their spouses: Neville and Angelica White, Merlene White, Janis White O’Gilvie and Lennox O’Gilvie, Calvin and Amina White, Dezreen White, Wayne “Steven” and Ebere White, Paul White and Maria Cruz, Maureen White, Esq., and adopted daughter, Shantaye Eccles Welch; two siblings and their spouse; Roy and Gloria White and Esther Richards, née White. 21 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, a host of nephews, nieces, friends and family.

A visitation for Sam will be held Saturday, August 23, 2025 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Woodlawn Funeral Home, 400 Woodlawn Cemetery Road, Gotha, Florida 34734. A visitation will occur Sunday, August 24, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at North Orlando Seventh-day Adventist Church, 4125 N Hiawassee Rd, Orlando, Florida 32818. A funeral service will occur Sunday, August 24, 2025 at 11:00 AM at North Orlando Seventh-day Adventist Church, 4125 N Hiawassee Rd, Orlando, Florida 32818. A committal service will occur Sunday, August 24, 2025 at 2:00 PM at Woodlawn Memorial Park, 400 Woodlawn Cemetery Road, Gotha, Florida 34734.