Anna M White

ANNA MARY WHITE was born in Selma, Alabama on January 6, 1928 to the late Lunetta Brown Dawson and the late Ike Dawson. Anna White was the mother of five children; two boys and three girls. The Lord Jesus Christ caller her home on May 4, 2024.

Anna grew up in Selma, Alabama. Went to Clark Elementary School, and Knox Academy High School. She was baptized at an early age and she joined The West Trinity Baptist Church under Reverend Charlie Parker. She attended Sunday School and BTU (Baptist Training Union) faithfully until she joined her mother in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1941.

In later years she became a member of New Thought Unity Center for many years. She later joined James Temple Church of God in Christ, where Pastor Joel James is the senior pastor.

She graduated from Old Woodward High School and later went on to the University of Cincinnati and received an Associate Degree in Social Work. She received her Bachelor of Science Degree from the University Without Walls.

Anna White was a licensed social worker. She worked in that profession at the Cincinnati Board of Health for many years.

In the early 1960’s through early 1970’s Anna Mary worked at Reliable Jewelry & Loan Pawn Shop as a trustworthy and knowledgeable employee. She had very important responsibilities such as inspecting jewelry and watches that customers brought in requesting loans. One of her primary responsibilities was being proficient and knowledgeable in the 4 C’s of faceted diamonds, which means, carat, cut, clarity and color. The Spiegel family who owned this pawn shop respected Anna Mary not only as an employee but as a partner.

She worked for the Board of Health over 30 years. She had an extraordinary work ethic. She loved to travel and she went to Israel, Las Vegas, New York City, and she also went on a cruise.

She loved music such as the Blues, Motown Music and Jazz. She loved the Sam Cooke, O’Jays, Temptations, Jerry Butler, Lou Ross, and Marvin Gaye. But her favorite music was gospel music. She loved the old-time gospel songs such as “Amazing Grace” and “Precious Lord”. Within the last year she fell in love with the song “On Time God” by Dottie Peoples.

Some of her favorite scriptures were Psalms 21, Psalms 23, Psalms 51 and Psalms 91. Anna Mary had a very deep love for God. She would always tell you about God whenever you spoke with her. One of her conditions was not to call her before 12 noon each day unless it was an emergency; because that was her special time that she spent with God in prayer and bible study.

One of her favorite hobbies was shopping, she loved to shop, especially at the Home Shopping Network and QVC. Some of her favorite TV shows were The Jennifer Hudson Show, Ellen DeGeneres Show and Family Feud with Steve Harvey.

Here is a list of foods that Anna Mary loved eating and cooking; oxtail soup, chicken feet, liver and onions, collard greens and corn bread, okra, crowder peas with okra and candied sweet potatoes, baked chicken wings and thighs, popeyed mullet, cat fish, black eyed peas for new year’s day, cabbage and ham. She also loved sweets such as cookies and homemade cakes by her sister Doris.

Duane White (son): “My mother was a symbol of strength, not only for women, but for men also. She taught me how to be a very strong man, with good moral values, and the unity teachings. I will miss her in a way words cannot describe, but I know her spirit and her strength is in my heart and what keeps me going stronger every day and for the record, I celebrate Mother’s Day for her every day.”

Gwendolyn Hanson (daughter): “Momma, I am appreciative that God chose you to be my mother.  You taught me as a child to worship God and his sweet son Jesus Christ. I love you for being you and never wavering in your mindset.  I  remember everything we shared, I will miss and love you always & keep you in my heart!!”

Doris Brown (sister):  “Myself and Anna Mary are one year, six months and 24 days apart in age. We grew up together and  did everything together when we were younger.  Anna Mary would come by and eat whatever I cooked. She stopped at my house every day and went straight to the kitchen and fixed her a plate. She was very smart and sharp. She worked at the Board of Health helping woman and children.  She had her own opinion and would not change for anyone. She believed in holistic medicine.  She had great medical knowledge and would give advice to others of her knowledge. She also loved Yoga. She worked all the time. Her nickname was “Tight Annie”. My husband named her “Tight Annie” because how tight she clutched her purse. She helped a lot of parents at the WIC program. Every year during holidays and birthdays she remembered her grandchildren. Anna Mary I miss you so much. We were always in each others life. I will remember you always and never never forget you. Rest In Peace in the Spirit of God. Love Dot!”

Kindra Hanson-Okafor (granddaughter):  “Dear Grandma, you never said bye as a sign off, so I won’t either. I’ll simply say, thank you for your prayers, psalms, and positivity. I will forever carry the sound of your laugh and your love of the Lord in my heart for eternity. Love Kindra Pooh!”

Sandy Bursey (niece):  “Anna Mary you will truly be missed for the phone calls to mamma daily, for your wisdom, for seeing me spiritually and being firm in your belief. Your life was lived and has left an imprint on this earth, you will always be in my heart. Love Sandy, your niece.”

Vincent White (grandson):  “To my loving Grandma. There isn’t enough time  in a day to express the memories we created. It’s an honor to  be your 1st grandchild for so many reasons. One being that without you, there would be no me.  Priceless is another thing that comes to me. I’m so grateful to know that the bond my wife ( Erica)  and I had with you was a gift from God. Thanks for being you. In Divine Order. Rest In Power! Vincent, your number one fan!”

Amani Minneweather (granddaughter): “Dear Great Grandma, you were here as a blessing to inspire all of us. You left an imprint on all of our hearts, you always very caring, you listened and always prayed over us to keep us filling protected. I always loved your sweet hugs. I will always fill embraced and treasured. I love you so much. Rest well beautiful great grandma, Amani!”

Family who preceded Anna Mary in death are Lunetta Brown (mother), Ike Dawson (father), Ronald White (son), Pamela White Little (daughter), Vickie Dawson (daughter), Jerome Dawson (brother), Ike Dawson Jr. (brother), Maurice White (grandson)

She leaves to cherish her memory; Daughter – Gwendolyn Hanson (Joe, preceded in death); Son -Duane White; Siblings – Doris Brown (James, preceded in death), Dorothy Thomas, Patricia Lee (Akron, Ohio), James Dawson (Geneva), Carmen Dawson (sister-in-law), Shirley Ensley (Bennie, proceeded in death), Harold    Dawson, Carolyn Alexander, Margaret Dawson, Tracy Dawson; Very Special Friend – Virginia Hunter; Very Special granddaughter in law and care giver – Erica White; Special Grandson in law – Corey Hunter; Grandchildren: Vincent White (Erica), Rhonda White, Tiant Hanson, Kindra Hanson-Okafor (Ngo), Kiefer Little, LaKisha White, Marcus White; a host of great grandchildren, great, great grandchildren and a host of other family and friends.

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