Dorsie Oates White

She was born on a farm in Caldwell County on August 30, 1924 to Ida Mary McSwain Oates and Thomas Leroy Oates. She grew up in the Homestead Village, owned by the Leaksville Woolen Mill, where her father was the overseer. Eventually the family, which included eight children, moved to what is now Coulwood, and after their parents passing they all established homes near each other there.

Dorsie graduated from Paw Creek High School in 1941. She then completed business school at Kings Business College, and was first employed at Southern Bearing and Parts Company. She then went to work at S&W Cafeteria, where she caught the first glimpse of her future husband when he came to tell a co-worker goodbye, as he was going off to fight in World War II.

She married Harry Tyre White on August 2, 1947. They founded Harry White Plumbing Company together, where she served as secretary, treasurer, bookkeeper, bill collector, and whatever role needed to be filled. Dorsie and Harry were founding members of Homestead Methodist Church, and she was a member there until the church closed, when she began attending Paw Creek Presbyterian Church. They had a joyful and love-filled marriage until his passing. They raised two children together, and were deeply influential in the lives of their siblings, nieces, and nephews.

Service was important to her; she and her husband worked together in support of many organizations including: the Methodist Youth Association, PTA boards, the Masons of NC, and the Metrolina Shrine. She enjoyed spending time with her family, singing in her church choir, tending to her beautiful gardens, growing and preserving vegetables, feeding and watching her birds, daily crossword puzzles, crocheting, and taking annual trips with the Class of ’41, the members of which she remained close with throughout her life. She lived a long, happy life filled with service to others, and most of all, she did it her way.

Dorsie Oates White is survived by her two children, Rodney White of Lincolnton, NC, and Marsha Strawn (husband Larry Strawn) of Weddington, NC; her grandchildren, Shannon Landrum (husband Don Landrum) of Maiden, NC, Brian White of Greensboro, NC, Karen Adams (husband Chris Adams) of Monroe, NC; her great-grandchildren, Parker Adams, Aubrey Landrum, Riley Adams, and Grant Landrum. She is also survived by her sisters, Virginia Oates Staton, of Charlotte, NC, Sylvia Jean McSwain, of Sanford, NC, sister in law Jean Staton Oates, of Charlotte, NC, and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, one great-great nephew, and her dedicated care givers Doreen Bland and Porschue Simpson. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Harry, sisters Thelma Oates Tomlinson, Mary Oates Moore, and Maggie Oates Miller, brothers John James Oates and Thomas Wellington Oates, sister-in-law Joyce Smith Oates, and brother-in-law Earnest Lee Moore.

The White family will greet friends on Tuesday, the 6th of August, 2024 from 11:00 AM until 12:00 Noon at Forest Lawn West Chapel. A service to celebrate her life will be held at 12:00 Noon in the Chapel and burial will follow in Forest Lawn West Cemetery.