Gladys Commagere White

WHITE Gladys C. White, a longtime resident of Avondale in Jacksonville, FL and active member of St Paul's Riverside Catholic Parish for 70 years, died on October 23, 2015, at St. Catherine Laboure Manor. She is pre-deceased by her loving husband, David E. White, and her five brothers and sisters. Gladys’ deepest love and commitment were to her family and friends. The titles of wife, mother, and friend were her most precious honors. She had the remarkable ability to make every person in her life feel special. She never doubted, rarely judged, and always welcomed you into her love. If you stood in her circle of affection, you knew a confidence that could carry you forever.

With southern family roots that trace back to the early 1600s, Gladys was born on June 6, 1919, in New Orleans, Louisiana, to Lydia D. and Felix J. Commagere. Early in her life, the family relocated to Atlanta, GA where she attended Sacred Heart School, graduated as class valedictorian, and went on to Atlanta College. Gladys worked as a civilian employee of the United States Army Signal Corps during World War II. In 1941, what began as a shared Coca-Cola in a Peachtree soda shop grew into a beautiful, life-defining marriage of over 60 years to David E. White in Atlanta. Following the war, they relocated to Jacksonville, FL where her husband co-founded and served as President of the District Sales and Service Agency of Hobart Corporation.

Mrs. White was an extraordinarily gifted leader in many civic and church related organizations. She was especially proud to have served as President on the Deanery, Diocesan, State, and Provincial levels of the Council of Catholic Women, including Executive Committee membership on the National level in Washington, D.C. Her Catholic faith was foundational in her life and issued forth in a wide array of generous service to others. Gladys' membership and leadership in St. Paul's Guild, St. Cecelia’s Circle, The Auxiliaries of St. Catherine Laboure and St. Vincent’s Medical Center, All Saints Home, Theresians, and Altar and Rosary Society were sources of creative energy for her. Board memberships throughout the community were numerous.

Mrs. White is survived by her six children, twin sons David (Susan K.) White, of Jacksonville, FL, and Donald ( Marta L) White, of Jacksonville, FL, Janet (Guy) Guarch of Atlanta, GA, Sister of St. Joseph Dr. Sherryl White, of Pittsburgh, PA, Debra (Nicholas) Witt, of Jacksonville, and Mary Patricia White, of Columbia, SC. She will be remembered lovingly by her eight granddaughters, five great-grandchildren, and nine step grand and great-grandchildren.

A funeral mass will be celebrated at 10 o'clock on Tuesday, October 28, 2015, at St. Paul's Catholic Church (Riverside), 2609 Park Street. Family will receive friends at St. Paul's Catholic Church for one hour before the funeral and at a reception immediately following the funeral. Interment will take place at Oaklawn Cemetery later in the day. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Paul's Catholic Church (Riverside), Jacksonville, FL.