Eva Mae White

Eva Mae, affectionately known to many as "Sweet Pea," has been reunited in heaven with her parents; her former spouses, Phillip O. Smith Sr. and Wilbert N. White; her brothers, Edward Stover, David Lee Stover, and John Lewis Stover; her daughter, Verona Gena White; and her great-granddaughter, Victoria Destiny Simmons.

Spending her early childhood years in High Point, Eva Mae attended First Emmanuel Baptist Church, where her father was a Deacon. She and her family relocated to Charlotte when she was about seven years old, where she attended elementary school at Mile Street School on Independence Boulevard. Afterwards, she attended Second Ward High School and eventually graduated with the class of 1955.

Immediately following graduation, Eva Mae worked domestic jobs for many years, and in the 1980s she made a career change to begin working as a CNA at Sharon Towers in Charlotte where she loved helping others. She truly enjoyed her time working there. She retired after 18 years of employment. Despite being officially retired, she still chose to continue working for four more years as a receptionist at the Tyvola Senior Center.

In Charlotte, Eva Mae attended St. Paul Baptist Church for several years. Later in life she attended Galilean Deliverance under Bishop Ellazor Campbell for ten years, and after that, Nazareth Outreach Baptist Church under Pastor Hazel Washington. When Pastor Washington retired, Eva Mae’s son, Willie James Smith, moved into the role of lead Pastor at the church, which made Eva Mae so proud. She was a true woman of God who loved to read and live by God’s Word. One of her favorite sayings was, "Get right with the Lord."

Eva Mae had a great sense of humor and loved to make people laugh; she was also a fantastic cook, and her family especially loved her macaroni and cheese and pound cakes, which she always made from scratch. She also loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, and her many treasured friends.

Eva Mae was beautiful inside and out; she was outgoing, humble, and always treated others how she wanted to be treated. She always told her children, “never look down on anybody unless you’re helping them up” and to "always take care of each other because one day ya’ll will need each other." She also took a lot of pride in her personal style; she was a sharp dresser and loved matching her hat, pocket book, and shoes, and every time she went out, she was sure to showcase her beautiful smile.

Those left to remember Eva Mae include her children, Pastor Marilyn “Mimi” Latter, Phillip Oriel Smith Jr., Vivian “Niecy” Gillespie, Priscilla “Alice” Neal (Ronnie), Pastor Willie Smith, Deborah Burns, and Linda Massey (Fabian); her 25 grandchildren, 39 great-grandchildren, and five great-great-grandchildren; her God-daughters, Alfreda Nixon, Pamela Ramseur, Paula Samad, Daphne Hoskins and Betty “Fifi” McCollie; her siblings, Marie Arnold, Minnie Stover, and Martha Lee McNair; and her God-sister, Barbara Livingston; as well as numerous loving nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

The family would like to thank her caregivers, Ms. Terrie Massey, Ms. Keyoko Armstrong, and Mr. Eldred Griggie, who gave extended care and compassion over the years.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from 11:00am until 12:00pm on Friday, September 9, 2022 at Forest Lawn West Funeral Home, 4601 Freedom Drive in Charlotte.

The funeral service is to be conducted at 12:00pm, immediately following the visitation, in the Paul Helton Chapel at the funeral home, where Pastor Hazel Washington is to officiate.

The burial will follow at Forest Lawn West Cemetery. There will be a reception for family and friends at the funeral home once all services have concluded.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Eva Mae’s name to Nazareth Outreach Baptist Church of Charlotte, NC, Christian Mission Baptist Church of Charlotte, NC, or New Bethel Sounds of Praise of Summerville, SC.