Obituary of Marjorie Wilson White

Marjorie Wilson White passed away peacefully on November 30th at her daughter’s home in North Carolina with her beloved daughter, Cindy, and granddaughter, Callie, by her side.

Marge was known by many names…Mom, Marge, Margie, Granny Marge and Gobble. She was a daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother.  Marjorie Dean Wilson was born in Lee County, Kentucky.  She was the seventh child of nine children.  Following the death of her father when she was age 9 the family eventually relocated to Williamsburg, Ohio, where she met Nicholas White who would eventually become her husband. They were married on July 26, 1947.

Marge and Nick moved to Delaware, Ohio, where they attended Ohio Wesleyan University and then moved back to Williamsburg.  In 1956 Marge and Nick moved from Williamsburg to Mariemont, Ohio, where she was active in school and civic affairs including membership in P.E.O. In 1970 they moved to Bloomington, Indiana, and then in 1977 to Memphis, Tennessee, where they resided until Nick’s death in 2019. While in Memphis Marge was active in the Woman’s Exchange.  The family moved as Nick’s career developed from a lawyer with Taft, Stettinius & Hollister, law professor at Indiana University and finally Professor and Dean Emeritus of the University of Memphis School of Law.

Marge was an avid golfer, holding several club championships. She enjoyed cooking and entertaining for her friends, family and Nick’s law students.   She was a gourmet cook and consummate entertainer…the queen of the kitchen.  She always had a good, and many times an inappropriate, joke much to the delight of her grandchildren and many times to the dismay of their parents.  No one left Marge’s home hungry or without a smile.

Her greatest joys, however, were the times with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was Granny Marge…larger than life. She was especially proud that all her children and grandchildren all graduated from college and went on to successful careers. Her children and grandchildren were empowered by Marge not only to achieve but overachieve in their careers.

She is survived by her big sister, Doris, her sons Nick (Betsy)and Larry (Meg) and her daughter, Cindy.  She is survived by her grandchildren Lucie, Katie, Nick, Callie, Ted, Grace, Lauren and Mitchell.  She is survived by her great grandchildren Elizabeth, Cassie, Peter, Anne, Mimi, James, Abbie, Anneke, Ali and Alejandro.  She will be missed by all.

Marge was preceded in death by her loving husband of 72 years, Nick, beloved granddaughter, Abbie, her cherished daughter, Marcia, her sister Beulah, her brothers Herschel, Charles, Clarence, Paul, Gene and Ernie. 

Interment and Celebration of Life will be in Williamsburg, Ohio, at a date to be announced.

In lieu of flowers, the family would be grateful for a donation to The Abigail E. Gudeman Memorial Scholarship in Marjorie’s memory.  Make checks payable to:

Rams Club

University of North Carolina

P.O. Box 2446

Chapel Hill, NC  27515

Memo line: Abigail E. Gudeman Scholarship (Marjorie White)

The White family is under the care of Walker’s Funeral Home of Chapel Hill.