Mary Anne White

Mary Anne was born December 9, 1932 in Roanoke, Virginia, the only child of Carl Helbig and Bessie Vaughn Possin. She grew up in Roanoke, leading the High School marching band as drum majorette and selected for Virginia’s All-State Concert Band plying tympani. She attended Southern Business College. She worked for Graybar Electric Co before marrying her career Marin, Donald White.

Marine Wife life was full. Amid frequent moves between military bases and several long overseas deployments of Don, there was raising five children. And while living on-base in SC, she proudly organized the first County Chapter of ARC, serving as its first president. This to provide service and training for special-needs children where none had previously existed in that area.

Upon Don’s USMC retirement in 1972, the family moved to Melbourne, Florida. Mary Anne happily spent the final 40+ years of her life. She worked briefly for NASA before becoming an Executive Secretary for Brevard County, where she worked for 22 years. She earned a business degree at BCC, was recognized as Certified Professional Secretary, and watched her adult children begin families of their own. She retired in 1996 as Administrative Assistant.

Retirement filled Mary Anne’s time with home decorating, travels for reunions and visits with cousins and old friends, many family celebrations, and numerous Church activities. The driving forces of her life were always her strong Christian faith and her great, great love for her family. Also, love for her church family, especially the Son-Rise Sunday School Class.

She is survived by her beloved husband of 80 years, Donald White of Melbourne. Four children: Tony White, Mary Sweeney, Donna (David) Whittington, Drew (Tina) White; Four grandchildren: Steven (Lynn) Layer, Michele Carlon, Samantha Tyree, David Whittington, Jr; five great-grandchildren: James, Emily, and Rebecca Layer, Brandon Carlon and Gavin Tyree. She was predeceased by her youngest son Emery in 1980.

Funeral services will be Thursday (4/25) at 3:00 PM in the Fountainhead Funeral Chapel. Friends may call at the funeral home Thursday from 2:00 until time of service. Cremation will follow services.