Grace Bird White

She graduated from Camp Creek High School in 1961. In February of 1962, she began employment at Laughlin Memorial Hospital in the nursing department. Later, she was promoted to Director of Environmental Services, a position she held until her retirement in 2013. She was a Registered Healthcare Environmental Director, a member of the Tennessee Hospital Association, and Tennessee Environmental Services Association. She had received a Distinguished Service award from the Tennessee Healthcare Environmental Service Association and had been a board member and chairman of Region Four in East Tennessee.

Having worked at the hospital for over half a century, when asked about her reflection of all those years – she would always reply, “What a journey.” She always pushed for perfection in her profession.

On February 12, 1965, she married her husband, Don White. She felt privileged to have shared a wonderful life with him. Her life can be defined by her deep love of her faith, family, and friends. Everything she accomplished revolved around those devotions. She took every opportunity to be the center of the life of her nieces and nephews. She had a warm heart for the elderly, children, and those less fortunate. She was a gifted cook and enjoyed needlework.

Survivors include her husband: Don White; two brothers and a sister-in-law: Bobby Bird and Sammy and Charline Bird; a special nephew: Todd Bird and wife, Cindy; a special niece: LeAnn Aiken and husband, Jack; Special great nieces: Jaclyn Aiken, Haylee Bird, Kayla Cody, and Brittany Gregg; special great nephews: Justin Aiken, Jacob Samuel Bird, Bobby and Nikki Gregg, Kolben, Kaseton, and Kreeden Gregg; a special aunt: Virginia Huff; several other aunts, uncles, and cousins; special longtime friends from first grade thru high school and beyond: Susie Hartman, Patricia Mathes, Revonda and Roy Johnson; special caregiver: Marcie Loftis; sisters-in-law: Ruth Dinwiddie and Rose and Bobby Strong; and many special friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents: Samuel W. Bird and Luster Mysinger Bird; her grandparents: Mr. and Mrs. Robert Mysinger and Mr. and Mrs. Willis Bird; and a sister-in-law: Glenda Bird.

The family will receive friends from 2pm-8pm Tuesday at Kiser-Rose Hill Funeral Home.

Following visitation, the funeral service will be held at 8pm Tuesday in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Sam Smith, Rev. Doug Jennings, and Rev. Dolphus Cutshaw officiating and the eulogy by Noah Roark.

A graveside service will be held at 4:00 pm Wednesday at Union Temple Cemetery. Family and friends are asked to meet at 3:00 pm Wednesday at the funeral home to go in procession to the cemetery.

Pallbearers will be the department heads at Laughlin Memorial Hospital.

Honorary pallbearers are the employees of Environmental Services and Laughlin Memorial Hospital.

Memorial donations may be made to the Union Temple Cemetery, in care of Ruth Dinwiddie, 440 Walkertown Road, Afton, TN 37616; or to Grace White Memorial Fund, designated to Hearts with Hands, 1420 Tusculum Blvd., Greeneville, TN 37745 or online at www.laughlinmemorial.com.

The family wished to extend a special thanks to the employees of Smokey Mountain Hospice for their loving care.