Laura Ellen White was born on December 9, 1909, in Eldorado, IL. She passed away December 10, 2010 in Daytona Beach, Fl. She left her family on the day after her 101st birthday. Viewing will be at the Ridgewood Church of God, at the corner of North Ridgewood Ave, and Fairview Ave, in Daytona Beach, from 2-4:30pm, service will immediately follow at 5:00 pm. Interment will be at Wolfcreek Cemetery, in Eldorado, IL. Laura is survived by 2 daughters, Rosalyn White Powell, of Daytona Beach, and Bonnie Young, of Dallas, Texas; her granddaughters, Debbie McGrimley, of Seneca Falls, New York, Cherie Trainor of Tallahassee, Fl, Melissa Powell and Robert Newton Collins Powell, of Daytona Beach. Laura also left several great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. Laura was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, George White, two sisters, five brothers, her son George White Jr, one daughter, Lora Gene Hughes, one daughter-in-law, Virginia White, and two grand-daughters, Brenda Ross, and Terri White. Condolences may be shared with the family online at www.lohmanfuneralhomes.com Arrangements are under the careful direction of Baggett and Summers Funeral Home. The following was written by grand daughter Debbie McGrimley for her grandmother's 100th birthday: A TOAST TO MAM-MA'S LIFE Good Evening to Everyone. Thank you for being here to celebrate Laura Ellen White's 100'" Birthday. Laura has many titles - Mother, Aunt Laura, Sister White, & Mam-Ma, which is what I call her. As a matter of fact, I am pretty sure 1 gave her that title because I couldn't say Grandma when 1 was little, thus the endearing name of Mam-Ma was bestowed on her. Mam-Ma has mentioned to me a few times she would like someone to write her eulogy before she passes on so she could hear what people say about her. Well, Mam-Ma, I have not written your eulogy, thank goodness, but what I have written is a toast to your life. Now remember everyone, she is 100, so this may fake awhile, get comfortable. Laura Ellen White was born on December 9,1909 to Lora and Jim Forester in Eldorado, Illinois. She had two sisters and five brothers. She loved school as a child and received very good grades. Her dream was to become a teacher someday. But a young man, George White, came into the picture and they were married at 16 years old. She did not get to continue her schooling. They had two children, George While Jr. and Uosalyn Powell. They also raised Bonnie and Lora Gene when their Mom passed on when they were just babies. Mam-Ma and Pap-Pa lived in many places throughout their 63 years of married life- Illinois, Tennessee, Michigan, New Jersey, Kansas, Alaska and Florida. My first recollection of you Mam-Ma was when I was two years old. My Mom & Dad, Jim & Jenny Simpson went to Alaska in 1952 and I stayed with you and Pap-Pa. In the early 1950's my Mom & Dad, my Sister Terri at 6 weeks old, Mam-Ma, Pap-Pa, Jim & Jenny Simpson and their son Billy at about 6 months old, Colleen Simpson, Bonnie & Lora Gene Forester headed to Alaska which was still a territory at that time. We settled there. Pap-Pa and my Dad along with others built a beautiful log church in Anchorage. Pap-Pa was the minister and Mam-Ma was the song leader and a Sunday School teacher. I had the privilege of being her first Sunday School student. Several young couples in the military started attending the little log Church of God and Mam-Ma and Pap-Pa became their home away from home Mom & Dad. I have many wonderful memories ot'our iime in Alaska. Pap-Pa preaching and being blessed by the Holy Spirit, Mam-Ma singing so beautifully, & the sweet aroma of bread and pies baking in Mam-Ma's kitchen on Saturdays. They would usually invite some of the church family over for Sunday home-cooked dinners. Another memory that conies to mind is Mam-Ma and Pap-Pa kneeling down by their bed at night and praying. They would pray outloud for so many people callng out each of their names. This always gave me a comforting feeling. We also went on fly-in fishing & camping trips together and Mam-Ma would can the salmon that Pap-Pa caught. Many good times we had. Mam-Ma & Pap-Pa moved out of Alaska in 1963. 1 was blessed to have lived near them for the first 12 - 13 years of my life. Mam-Ma you were a major influence in my life and 1 am so thankful for that. There is so much 1 could write about Mam-Ma. 1 have written this mostly from my perspective but I tried to include other things. Being 100 years old today, I know she has seen so many changes in this world from the first automobiles to astronauts lauding on the moon and now astronauts living on a space station. It must be totally amazing to you, Mam-Ma. I didn't see Mam-Ma a lot in the next few years, but in 1986 Bill, Jeremy, & I moved from Alaska to Florida and Sean was born in 1987. I became very close to Mam-Ma again. She and 1 attended weekend Christian Women's retreats together. We would stay up until 1:00 or 2:00 in the morning talking and laughing like two teenagers. Mam-Ma would say, "I still feel like I am 16 inside". Mam-Ma always dresses to a T, she is one classy lady. I heard my Dad say to her many times, "Here comes my fashion queen." (Pause) Mam-Ma, you have always been a rock in my life and still are. Through my eyes, I see you Mam-Ma as a true Christian woman, a beautiful lady that exudes gracefulness, has a good sense of humor, non-judgmental, loving, full of life, intelligent, awesome cook, has the voice of an angel, and a lady that truly loves God. Mam-Ma loves her family dearly and has blessed us with her many delicious Thanksgiving and Christmas Dinners, and of course, her famous chicken & dumplings. Mam-Ma is a Daughter, Mother, Sister, Grandma, Great Grandma, Great Great Grandma, Aunt and Friend. Her loving and strong hugs warm my heart and give me a feeling of safety. You arc an amazing woman. I don't know anyone else that started working at 86 and then was hired by the Slate of Florida at the age of 90 and worked until 93 years old. She also worked with the Roekin Nannies which was a volunteer group (hat rocked and comforted foster children in (heir transition into different homes. The young families that had attended their Church in Alaska started an Alaska reunion in 1989 here in Florida in honor of Mam-Ma and Pap-Pa and they just had their 20"' reunion this year. They come from many places in the U.S. This says a lot about how people feel about you Mam-Ma. Mam-Ma, there are so many wonderful things I could write about you -I could go on and on, but one thing I do want io let you know is that your dream of being a teacher came true. You have taught us the most important things in life - about God, Love, Faith, being non-judgmental, honesty and how to treat others. Your love of life and the way you have lived your life has been such an inspiration. God has blessed us with your presence in each of our lives. Mam-Ma, now you know how people feel about you. Your family and friends have traveled from many parts of the U.S. - Alaska, Michigan, Texas, New York, Pennsylvania Utah, and Illinois to honor you on this special day. Sometimes people say when it is their birthday, oh just another day or I'm not counting anymore, but Mam-Ma always says, I am happy it is my birthday --1 am still alive!! Mam-Ma, you are a centurion, 100 years young today. Let's raise our glasses and toast to this special Toast - To Main-Ma •- You have touched so many lives in such a positive way. YOU have made a difference. Thank you for the Love you have given us all. We love yon and God Bless You.