Rev. J. Lee White

Rev. J. Lee White, 88, of Hurricane joined his Lord and Savior and his beloved Jo in Heaven Sunday, October 11, 2015. Born April 14, 1927 in Dundon, Clay County, he was the eighth child born to the late Orland and Anne White. Following his graduation from Clay County High School in 1944, Lee served his country with the United States Navy. Following this service, he attended and graduated from Morris Harvey College, now known as the University of Charleston. While in the public sector from 1947-1950, he worked and lived in Akron and Cleveland, Ohio as well as Baltimore, MD. Lee was saved by the grace of God in December, 1949, and was called to preach the Gospel in 1950. He received his theological education at Nyack Missionary Institute, now Nyack College, in Nyack, New York graduating in 1953. His pastorates included the three churches in Mt. Zion Parish, Mt. Zion Baptist, Mineral Wells, Pond Creek Baptist, Bellville and Mt. Moriah Baptist, Windy 1953-57; Big Clear Creek Baptist, Rupert 1957-68; Oakwood Baptist, Charleston, 1969-78; Mount Vernon Baptist, Hurricane 1978-94. Retiring from full-time pastorate in 1994, he continued serving as interim at several churches including, Mount Vernon, Oakwood, Starcher, Calvary, Mount Vernon again and Main Street. He was bestowed the title of Pastor Emeritus by Mount Vernon Baptist Church in October, 1999. He served in various positions in the community as well as on Baptist Association and State Boards and Committees. In the community, he served as volunteer chaplain at Thomas Memorial and Putnam General Hospitals as well as chairman of Chaplaincy Committee at Thomas Memorial. He also served on the Putnam County Advisory Board of the Salvation Army since 1988. Lee met his late wife, Jo Crawford White while in Nyack College and were married October 24, 1953. Together, they raised five children, namely, David White of Charleston, Janet and Ron Ochletree of Monroeville, PA, Timothy and Diana White of Cross Lanes, Rebecca and Randy Stone of Thurmont, MD and Kathy Morrissey of Charleston. There are also 12 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Funeral service will be held at 12 Noon Wednesday, October 14, 2015 in the Historic Sanctuary of Mount Vernon Baptist Church, Hurricane, with Dr. Jeffrey Johnson and Pastor Ron McClung officiating. Burial will follow in Mount Vernon Cemetery, Hurricane. Visitation will be held from 6-8pm Tuesday at Chapman Funeral Home, Hurricane. You may also visit www.chapmanfuneralhomes.com to share sympathies with the family. Memorial contributions in his honor should be directed to Mount Vernon Baptist Church, 2150 Mount Vernon Road, Hurricane, WV 25526. The family would like to thank Anita Ours for her compassion and care given to Lee and Jo. Chapman Funeral Home, family-owned and located at 3941 Teays Valley Road, Hurricane is honored to serve the White family.