Houston “Gene” White

Published 10:34 am Friday, September 6, 2019

Houston “Gene” White
Shelby

Houston “Gene” White, age 87 of Shelby, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, Sept. 4.

He loved his family dearly and was an avid fan of the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Gene was born Nov. 26, 1931, and was raised in Alabaster. In April 1951, he enlisted in the United States Air Force. Before serving in the Air Force, Gene tried out for the Boston Braves (now Atlanta Braves). Before reporting to basic training, he received a letter from the Braves organization inviting him to spring training only to decline the offer to serve his country.

After being honorably discharged from the Air Force in April 1954, Gene lived in various parts of the country such as New York and Chicago, ultimately settling down near his hometown in Shelby. He worked for Pullman-Standard Freight in Bessemer, and retired in 1981 when its operations were closed. After retirement, Gene began his own business selling cars. Though only completing schooling through sixth grade, he built a successful career and business.

He purchased property on Lay Lake in 1971 where he built his dream home from the ground up. Gene was someone who throughout his entire life gave to those around him, and for that, his friends and family will be forever grateful.

Gene is survived by his grandchildren, Ashley (Michael) Lord of Helena, Heather (Taylor) Dooley of Atlanta, Georgia, and Houston White of Atlanta, Georgia; great-granddaughters, Mackenzie “Mackie” Lord and Micah Lord; brothers, Billy (Dorothy) White of Hueytown and Larry (Renee) White of Vance, and many nieces and nephews.

Gene is preceded in death by his love, Edna “Sis” Brock; sons, Mackie White and Ronnie White; parents, Myra and Jess White; brothers, Homer (Lassie) White and Ray (Joyce) White; and sisters, Vera (Edgar) Ellison and Jessie Mae White.

The family received friends on Saturday, Sept. 7 at Six Mile Baptist Church in Brierfield. The service followed with Pastor Larry Wimberly of Lakeside Hospice officiating. Interment followed at Wesley Chapel Cemetery in Centreville.

The family would like to give special thanks to the staff of Colonel Robert L. Howard State Veterans Home in Pell City for the special care given to Gene for the last four years of his life and to the staff of Lakeside Hospice for the care and friendship in his final months.

Arrangements were under the direction of Charter Funeral Home, Calera.