Howard H. White

Howard Hamilton White, of Bassett, Virginia, died on February 5, 2019 at the age of 97. Mr. White was born on August 25, 1921 in Cornelius, North Carolina to the late Austin Alexander White and Katie Howard White. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 67 years, Emily Cheshire White, in 2014, and his four sisters, Lena White Franklin, Marie White Hayman, Ellery White Adams and Faye Wrenn White. He was a 1938 graduate of Bassett High School and subsequently earned a degree in Business Administration from National Business College in Roanoke, Virginia in 1939. He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Robert A. White and Bonnie, of Tazewell, VA; his daughter and son-in-law, Elizabeth W. DuBois and George, of Fayetteville, NC; his son and daughter-in-law, Edward H. White and Melissa of Martinsville, VA; his grandson and wife, William DuBois and Caroline, of Fayetteville, NC; and grandsons, Austin White and Davis White, of Martinsville. He is also survived by nephews, James L. Franklin, Jr. and Daniel Hayman, nieces, Carolyne Yates, Susan Collins and Janrose Morton, and very special caregiver, Sarah Mullins. Mr. White began working at Bassett Furniture Industries in November, 1939. In March of 1943 he entered the military and was assigned to the 1st Infantry Division, also known as Big Red One, as a company medic. He served overseas in France, Belgium and Germany and saw action in the Battle of Hürtgen Forest. Upon receiving an honorable discharge in 1945, he worked at W. M. Bassett Furniture Company until 1946, when he became employed at Hal C. Rich Company until he returned to W. M. Bassett in 1951. While there he served as bookkeeper, purchasing agent, assistant manager and general plant manager. He was appointed a Group Vice-President of Bassett Furniture Industries and elected to its Board of Directors in 1970 and remained in these positions until his retirement in December, 1986. Mr. White was a member of Bassett Memorial United Methodist Church for more than 70 years and held several positions there, including Chairman of the Board of Trustees, member of the Finance Committee, Chairman of the Stewardship committee and member of the Men’s Sunday School Class. He was also a member and president of the United Methodist Men for a number of years. Mr. White was a member of Bassett Rotary Club, President of Bassett Country Club and past Commander of Bassett Post 11 American Legion. He was also Chairman of the Henry County Public Service Authority during its formative years. Mr. White was an extraordinary person who loved his family, friends, church and country. He was truly a worthy member of the “Greatest Generation”. The family wishes to express its gratitude to the staff at King’s Grant and Mountain Valley Hospice for the care and compassion given to our father. A celebration of life service will be held at Bassett Memorial United Methodist Church at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, February 8, 2019 with Reverend Timothy Barth officiating. The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the church prior to the service. Interment will follow at Oakwood Cemetery in Martinsville. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations in Mr. White’s memory be made to Bassett Memorial United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 408, Bassett, VA, 24055. Collins-McKee-Stone Funeral Home in Bassett is handling the arrangements. To express condolences online, please visit www.collinsmckeestonebassett.com