Fern Pauline White

Fern Pauline Gibson White, 96 passed away peacefully at Royal Palms Senior Living Care Center on January 10, 2024. She had her wits about her until the moment she took her last breath and will probably be talking all the way to heaven.

Fern was born in Austin, Missouri on July 18, 1927 which is barely a town now, located 50 miles south of Kansas City. She lived in Austin with her father, Clifford and mother Clara, sister Betty Ann, brother Norris Lee where her father ran a grocery store. She also had loving grandparents close. Growing up during the Depression brought about a unique childhood but she loved life then as much as she did as an adult. The family moved to the Rio Grande Valley in 1937 in a pull trailer built by her father. There her father opened a grocery store where Fern worked alongside her parents. She would speak often of her sister, Betty who was 6 years younger than she and how she took care of her and loved her. After finishing high school in 1944 she attended nurses training in Waco, Texas and became an RN. She spoke many times about her friends and how close they became during the WWII era.

Then in 1950, she married Ray, her husband of 64 years. They began their life in the Valley and moved to Pasadena in 1956. They had a loving family and raised a daughter, Yvonne and son, Dale. Most every holiday and summer, we would travel to the Rio Grande Valley to see family. She was active in a sorority, bridge playing, and sewing clothes for her children.

Fern devoted her working years to school nursing and was a member of the American Red Cross for many of those years as well. She enjoyed her job and the people with whom she worked.

During retirement, she and Ray would take care of their grandchildren, travel by motorhome throughout the United States, go on cruises, and visit other countries. They were volunteers for many years with a Methodist church group called NOMADS and with the YMCA of the Rockies.

Fern was preceded in death by her parents Clifford and Clara Gibson, her husband Ray, sister Betty Rountree, brother Norris Lee and grandson, Lee Ballard.

She leaves behind her two children, Yvonne Schaller and husband Greg; Dale White and wife Melinda. Grandchildren: Jason Schaller and wife Tera, Paul Schaller and wife Summer, Melanie Ballard. Great-grandchildren: Owen, Cecilia, and Avery Schaller, Evelyn Schaller, Caleb Holleman, and Michael Ballard. Linda Flaherty, a niece who is like a daughter to her and other nieces, nephews, and cousins, as well as many friends. She will be missed by all.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Deer Park United Methodist Church, Hope Beyond Hospice, or Alzheimer's Association in Fern's memory.

Visitation will be held Monday, January 22, 2024 from 1:00PM to 2:00PM with a Celebration of Fern's life beginning at 2:00PM at Pasadena Funeral Chapel, 2203 Pasadena Boulevard, Pasadena, Texas 77502. Immediately following, she will be laid to rest at Grand View Memorial Park, 8501 Spencer Highway, Pasadena, Texas 77505.