Charlene Maxine White

A Life of Love and Caring Charlene Maxine Vann White Charlene Maxine Vann White entered this life on July 7, 1927, in Fort Gibson, Oklahoma. Both parents and seven siblings preceded her in death: (Joe Louis Vann, Lois Vann Gunn, Frank Moore, Sue Vann, Willie Vann, Sr., Joe Vann, and Sadie Owen Smith). She accepted Christ at an early age, joining First Baptist Church in Fort Gibson, Oklahoma. She later moved to Muskogee, Oklahoma where she worked various jobs to support her only child, Joyce. After Joyce graduated from high school, she relocated to Wichita, Kansas. It was in Wichita where she raised four of her brother’s children: Ida, Yolanda, Valerie, and Cedric Vann. Her abundance of love spread through the Wichita area as she cared for and nurtured many children as a Foster Parent. Charlene united with New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in 1977, where she attended until failing health and distance prevented her from attending. She later attended St. James Missionary Baptist Church which was closer to where she lived. Charlene was called to eternal rest on March 13, 2015, at Saint Francis Hospital, Wichita, Kansas. She is survived by her devoted and loving daughter, Joyce Welch of the City; son-nephew, Cedric Vann (Vivian) of Kansas City, MO; daughter-nieces, Yolanda Vann, San Diego, CA; Valerie Vann, Tulsa, OK; Ida Vann, Oklahoma City, OK; two sisters, Florence Purvey, Tulsa, OK and Corinne Vann Strong (Willie) of Kansas City, MO; four grandchildren: Tannis Vann, Kansas City, MO; Kimberly and Starr Welch of the City; and Cameron Vann, Florida; two cousins, Gayle Briggs and Marion Lynn Harkey, Oklahoma City, OK; a loving and devoted best friend, Dorothy Jo Carter, Muskogee, OK and Renette Johnson of the City. She also leaves 22 nieces and 24 nephews to cherish the love and fond memories of Charlene. Visitation 10 a.m., Funeral 11 a.m. Sat. Mar. 21 at St. James Missionary Baptist Church, 1350 N. Ash, Wichita.