Cornelius White

Cornelius White, known as “Corny” to relatives and friends, was born July 29, 1935, to the marriage of Christine Martin White and Charlie White in Indianapolis, Indiana. He attended Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) and graduated from Crispus Attucks High School. After graduating from high school, Cornelius attended George Williams College in Chicago for two years. He was drafted into the U. S. Army and joined the 101st Airborne Division which was referred to as “The Screaming Eagles.” He served six years in the army reserves then went back to school at Knoxville College in Knoxville, Tennessee and earned his B.S. in Business Administration. In 1956, Cornelius met his longtime love, Dorothy (Dottie) Burks. They later married and have enjoyed 58 years of marriageable bliss. Cornelius was recruited from Knoxville College by Gillette Toiletries Division ( first Black) and worked in sales for many years, including, Allstate Insurance, WIRE Radio and Revlon Cosmetics Division. After being downsized with Revlon, he took a position as Assistant to the President of Bennett College in Greensboro, North Carolina. Upon retiring, Cornelius decided to devote some of his time to the education of our youth, especially our young Black males. He said if he could only reach one every few months, he believed he accomplished something. As such, he went to work at IPS as a Professional Development Support Team member. Also, he joined Social Health of Indiana as a teacher for elementary schools’ After School Programs. As an active member of Witherspoon Presbyterian Church (WPC), Cornelius served several years as President of the Men of Witherspoon, sang with the Chancel Choir, organized and sang with the Men’s Choir and was an ordained Deacon of the church. Being a lover of music, Cornelius performed with The Philharmonic Praise Choir and the Shepherd Singers. He and his wife, Dottie, have been season tickets holders to the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra’s Pop Series for 15 years. As members of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra Association, they served as volunteers. Another organization to which he belonged is Big Brothers. During his tenure, he had five little brothers and served on the Big Brothers Board of Directors. Cornelius also served on the Philharmonic Orchestra Board of Directors. He was a Life Member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity and was initiated into Beta Phi Chapter in 1967. He was elected Polemarch of the Indianapolis Alumni Chapter and also served on the North Central Province Board. In 1974, Cornelius was responsible for the initiation of seven young men into the “Swing Chapter” at DePauw University. Cornelius was preceded in death by his mother, Christine White; father, Charlie White; and biological brother, Leon White; also cousin, Howard Haston White, considered a brother. He is survived by his loving wife, Dottie; cousins who were like brothers to him, Frank White (Joyce), Russell White (Linda); mother-in-law, Cloteal Fletcher; godsons, Floyd Tolliver, III and Adrian White; goddaughter, Teresa Tolliver, brother-in-law, Billy L. Burks (Nevaline), nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. His hobbies were music, fishing and travel.