Martha Jane Blackburn White

MARTHA JANE BLACKBURN WHITE

Martha Jane Blackburn White, 86, formerly of Mullens, WV and Max Meadows, VA, passed away Wednesday, December 23, 2015.

Born January 25, 1929 in the small town of Tams, WV; she was a daughter of the late Burton F. Blackburn and the late Mabel Shelor Blackburn.

Martha graduated from Mark Twain High School in 1947 and married Earl D. White on March 20, 1949 in Pike County, KY.

Martha began her baking as a hobby for her family and friends during the holidays. Her love for baking, her patience and decorating abilities allowed her to start making decorated birthday cakes that eventually led to her being a very sought after wedding cake baker in southern West Virginia, often baking cakes for several people a weekend, not only was her cakes beautifully decorated, they were also delicious. She won two Blue Ribbons at the WV State Fair with both decorated cakes and for an applesauce cake. That was the one and only time that she entered the contest and was overjoyed with winning two Blue Ribbons.

Upon Earl’s retirement in 1977 they moved to Max Meadows, Virginia. Martha continued to bake for special occasions and holidays. She continued the tradition of decorated cakes and bakery style cakes.

She made her last wedding cake in 1997 for her grandson’s wedding and continued to bake specialty cakes such as applesauce, nut rolls, candies, and confections until 2013.

Martha liked to fish on the pier at Myrtle Beach State Park and going trout fishing with her son-in-law and grandsons. She loved to read and continued that until her eyesight declined.

Martha moved back to Mullens with her daughter, Tamara (Tammy) Simmons and husband, Dean in August 2009 when her declining health brought her to Wyoming Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, New Richmond. Martha enjoyed her stay there where she made many friends she loved dearly.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 60 years, Earl D. White, Sr; a son, Earl (Dickie) White II; two brothers, Frank and Melvin Blackburn; and a sister, Ruth “Cookie” Blackburn Helmondollar.

Those left to cherish her memory include her loving daughter, Tamara (Tammy) Simmons, and husband, Dean of Corinne, WV; grandsons, Joshua Simmons and wife, Heather of Mullens, Chad Simmons and wife, Christie of Herndon, Jeremy White and Kris White of Princeton; daughter-in-law, Kathy White of Princeton; great-grandchildren, Austin, Alexis, and Caleb Simmons; Cameron and McKenzie Simmons; special granddaughter, Katrina Shrode and husband, Jack of Venice, FL; sister, Mary Helmondollar of Crab Orchard; brother in law, Harold White and daughter, Kim of Beckley; special sister-in-law, Maybelle Blackburn; a host of cousins, nieces and nephews that she loved dearly; special friends, Josephine Poole, Mary Bobbi and Nancy Zsoldos and Patsy Mabe.

We would like to Thank the staff of Wyoming Nursing and Rehab for the special care and love they showed my mother. Thank You for making her life so blessed while there until her death, all the staff and friends she considered as her big family. She truly loved you all as she told you daily. God blesses you all! You all are handpicked by God to work at such a special place. You are his Earthly angels.

Services to celebrate the life of Martha Jane Blackburn White will be held 2:00PM Monday, December 28, 2015 at Roselawn Funeral Home, 450 Courthouse Road, Princeton with Rev. Vicki Buzminskey and Rev. Danny Helmondollar officiating. Following the services, Martha will be laid to rest beside her beloved husband, Earl at Roselawn Cemetery, Princeton. Grandsons will be serving as pallbearers.

Friends may gather with the family from 1:00PM Monday until time of the service at the funeral home.

Online condolences and other information can be found by visiting www.roselawnfuneral.com

Roselawn Funeral Home and Cemetery, 450 Courthouse Road, Princeton is honored to be serving the family.