Della Rae Hollis-White

Mrs. Della Rae (Watts) Hollis-White was born on 22 December 1942 to the proud parents of Gilbert and Cynthia Watts in Plainfield, IN. Della moved to Indianapolis at an early age where she attended Indianapolis Public Schools and graduated from Shortridge High School in 1960. She then pursued her life's calling and passion to become a nurse and received her License of Practical Nursing (LPN) in 1962. She was a practicing nurse within the Indianapolis community for over 33 years and retired after incurring an injury from an automobile accident. Della was a charter member of the Black Nurses Association of Indianapolis where she remained active in retirement.

Della professed her faith in Jesus Christ at an early age and was an active member of several churches within the Indianapolis area. In her early adulthood, she served and sang in the choir at Second Christian Church, now Light of the World Christian Church. In her most recent years, she was an active member of Progressive Missionary Baptist Church where she was active in the Praise and Worship Ministry and played her tambourine with enthusiasm. She was also actively involved in the Women In-Touch Ministries where she always gave of herself to help those in need.

Della was a breast cancer survivor and volunteered at the American Cancer Society, Project MOCHA (Mammography Outreach and Community Health Awareness), the Central Indiana Council on Aging (CICOA), and was a lay health advisor for the IU School of Nursing. She was also a member of the Gamma Chapter of Tau Gamma Delta Sorority, Inc. Della loved to spend time with family and friends, receive greeting cards, take photographs, create photograph collages, play board games, go on "boat" rides, and travel to places that she had never been. Della had become an aspiring writer and was an active participant in the Nora Commons Creative Writing Workshops where she was authoring her first, yet to be published book, "No Adam in Eden". Della was always loving, cheerful, and made everyone she came in contact with feel very special. She never openly complained about things she was experiencing and made the very best of every situation. In every earthly assignment Della was given, she truly labored with love and served with a passion and purpose that was pleasing to God. She strived continuously to be the difference that made the difference to those who were hurting or in need. Della always gave God all of the praise, honor, and glory and in heaven she will be well received.

Mrs. Della Rae (Watts) Hollis-White passed away early on Saturday morning November 26, 1911

at the earthly age of 68 years, 11 months, and 4 days. She is preceded in death by both parents and a half

sister, Janice Massey Perry. Della leaves to cherish her life partner and dear friend, Henry (East) Phelps, one brother Dana Rue Watts (Carmen), five sons, who she commonly referred to as Son #1- Anthony Dewayne Watts, Son #2 - Curtis Lee White (Nadine), Son #3 - William J. White Sr., Son# 4 - Darryl Eugene White (Wanda), and Son #5- Almonte Ramon Alexander (Diana), grandson William J White II, granddaughter Alexis Nicole White, three great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces/nephews and great

nieces/nephews.