Carolyn White Obituary

Carolyn Tolliver White

October 24, 2024

Carolyn Tolliver White, 89, wife of the late Ralph Allen White, passed away peacefully Thursday, October 24, 2024, surrounded by her loving children.

Carolyn was a woman of deep faith which guided every aspect of her life. She was non-judgmental and navigated life with an even keel, allowing her to see all sides of any story, and remaining fair and practical in her decision-making.

A native of Millstone, Kentucky, Carolyn was the daughter of the late Edward and Nannie Belle Craft Tolliver. She graduated as Valedictorian of Hindman Settlement School (Kentucky), where she enjoyed singing and folk dancing and competed in the 1952 National Folk Festival. She earned a B.S. in Home Economics from Carson-Newman College where she was May Queen and met the love of her life, Ralph A. White. Carolyn and Ralph married on May 25, 1956, the same day as their college graduation. After their one-day Pigeon Forge honeymoon, they drove to Memphis where Carolyn taught elementary school while Ralph attended dental school. After two years of military service in Columbus, GA, Carolyn and Ralph settled in Kingsport, TN where they raised their children. Carolyn served in several leadership roles including Cub Scouts den mother, Sunday School teacher at First Baptist Church, the Junior League, and Chair of the Christian Women's Club.

Carolyn was always active, always moving forward, always creative, and always faced challenges enthusiastically with grace and composure.

She was versatile and enjoyed attending the Symphony as much as she enjoyed a bluegrass concert. One of her life-long passions was music. In addition to playing the piano, she co-founded the Bays Mountain Dulcimer Society, performed as a member of the Wildwood Dulcimers group who produced an album, and taught dulcimer classes in Kingsport and in Boone, NC. She enjoyed providing dulcimer performances at weddings, schools, holiday events, and the county jail.

She was always impeccably dressed with hair and makeup always done before breakfast. But that didn't prevent her from dressing up in simple, creative home-made costumes for Halloween or a costume contest during family vacations at the beach. She was a talented designer, seamstress, and knitter. Her interest in yarn and knitting led her to purchase a share of The Needlecraft Shop in Kingsport. After moving to Knoxville, she established her own business, Designs by Carolyn, selling hand-made apparel and fashion accessories in higher end shops from the Florida panhandle to Asheville's Grove Park Inn. In subsequent years, Carolyn continued knitting (prolifically), often donating the baby hats and blankets to local organizations that serve people in need.

Carolyn leaves behind a legacy of love and strength in her family. She is survived by her sister, Jane Gamble; children Brent (Jackie) White, Barry (Patricia) White, Amy White (Jason Roberts), and Angie White; grandchildren Kelvin White, Trenton White, Chandler Belle (Gabe) Dew, Katie (Justin) Ennis, Patrick (Lauren) Fackler, Allen Rehder, and Emma Caroline Rehder; along with five great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

The funeral service will be held on Monday, October 28 at 4:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church, 510 West Main Street, Knoxville. The family will receive friends prior to the service beginning at 3:30 p.m. Interment will be held on Tuesday, October 29 at 1:00 p.m. at the Andrew Johnson National Cemetery, Greeneville, TN.

Memorials may be made to: Hindman.org/donate HINDMAN SETTLEMENT SCHOOL INC., PO Box 844, Hindman, KY 41822.

Condolences may be shared with the family online at www.doughty-stevens.com

Doughty-Stevens Funeral Home of Greeneville is serving the White family.