Amanda White Houtman

Amanda Louise Farrington was born in Jupiter, Florida on March 23, 1924 as the fourth daughter to Charles and Maselina Farrington. Her parents, who founded the Daughter of Zion Seventh-day Adventist Church in Delray Beach, Florida, were very devout Seventh-day Adventist Christians who instilled biblical principles such as obedience, integrity, and honor to God at an early age. However, even though Amanda was very respectful and unfailingly devoted to her mother, there was another side of her that was quite spirited, and that side would mercilessly scrap with any sibling who found and ate her hidden stash of candy .... WHOA UNTO THEM!

As a precocious adolescent, Amanda constantly pestered her mother about attending a mortuary school because she was fascinated with the human body and its contents, but her mother was horrified at such a 'morbid' thought and told her that she would never pay for any daughter of hers to attend such a school and suggested that she consider other interest. It was THEN that she decided upon nursing as a career choice instead and set her sighs on that pursuit.

Since the family was large and of humble means, no one really expected her plan to materialize, but Amanda'[s mother was a praying woman and the Lord honored her faithfulness. By His grace, God impressed upon certain people to be host families who were willing to house young adults desirous of attaining an education. One such person was Katrina Nesbitt, a former teacher of Amanda's, and the other most memorable clan was the Palmer Family of Jacksonville, Florida. These individuals opened up their homes and provided accommodations and loving support to young adults who otherwise would not have had an opportunity to attend a Christian school. Later, some of the young adults went on to Oakwood College (now University) in Huntsville, Alabama where Amanda often reminisced about the unforgettable events of those days... the fun of traveling together, the pride and camaraderie, as well as forgoing lifelong friendships. Eventually, Amanda left Oakwood and went to nursing school in Glendale, California where she became a Registered Nurse (and she would later work for the Veterans Administration as a Charge Nurse for the next 30+ years until retirement).

One afternoon while at a skating rink with friends, Amanda met a dashingly handsome man from Beaumont, Texas named Louis White. It is said that she initially acted coy and disinterested but it became clear during their courtship that the two would become "one" and they were married sometime after she finished nursing school.

This union produced four lively children - two boys and two girls named: Terri, Toni, Timothy, and Wendell (Amanda later stated that she didn't know why the Lord "blessed" her with such loud, noisy children and joked that perhaps she should have prayed for boring kids who just spoke when spoken to, sat quietly, and stayed put). The family resided in Southern California for many years until, sadly, the marriage eroded and Amanda and Louis parted ways. Yet, not one to be sidelined by setbacks, Amanda's steadfast faith in God, grit, and determination spurred her into action and she moved her family to Milpitas in Northern California where they transitioned into a new life. In addition to being "Supermom" and working the graveyard shift, Amanda still found time to be involved in ministry and held the following positions at church: Choir Member, Head Usher, Sabbath School Superintendent, Youth Sabbath School Teacher and she was particularly active in what was then known as the Dorcas Society. After six years, she remarried a man by the name of John Houtman who, unfortunately, preceded her in death in 1998.

Amanda had a flair for fashion and every Sabbath morning she looked as though she had stepped out of Vogue, with every article of clothing matching - including her hat, shoes, purse, and gloves. She impressed her daughters so much that Terri and Toni could often be found in her closet rummaging through different clothes trying to imitate their mother's style and panache (while frantically looking for gum or Sen-Sen).

Amanda always remained poised and displayed grace under fire, and when life's disappointments took center stage, she resorted to singing inspirational hymns and praying to her Heavenly Father - trusting in His ability to work out whatever the situation may have been.

We who knew her best will sorely miss her spunk - especially the way she used to ball up her fist and freakishly stick her thumb between the third and forth fingers and then idly threaten to "bust our lips" because we were excessively boisterous (during adolescent and teen years), her delightful sense of humor, her wit and sassiness. These traits helped to balance her usually reserved demeanor.

Amanda was extremely selfless and found great joy in assisting others. In addition to traveling, camping, reading, puzzles, and gardening, shopping was her most satisfying past-time, but the shopping she often did was not always for herself. It was not uncommon for her to purchase appliances, clothes, food, even furniture for others. She did not desire accolades, recognition, or an audience to know that she helped someone; her gratification came just from knowing that she could help and that the Lord was pleased.

There can never be enough said about the life of Amanda for she was many things to so many people. Her enduring love, commitment, and generosity to her children speaks volumes about the colossal size of her heart and no words can describe that impact.