James Edgar White, Sr.

James Edgar White, Sr.

November 1, 1921 – January 21, 2014

James Edgar White, Sr. born November 1, 1921 in Lewiston-Woodville, passed away at his home at the age of 92 on Tuesday, January 21, 2014.  A memorial service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday at First Presbyterian Church, 414 Sunset Road.  The Rev. Dr. Tom Watkins will officiate. The family will receive friends Thursday immediately following the service and other times at the home. Ed always wore a three-piece suit, looking sharp and ready for work, whether around town or at White’s Tire Service.  In 1986 an artist was commissioned to paint murals depicting Ed’s life.  The artist painted in the mural the quote, “these murals are dedicated to Ed White, a man with a dream and the courage of his convictions”. In 1951, his journey as a retreader began in a rented 18’ x 32’ building located on Tarboro Street.  The business grew to become one of the top ten retreaders in North America in the nineties.  Not a day would go by without him trying to produce a perfect tire.  His dream was to retread a tire that would look and perform like a new tire.  His strong conviction to that dream was achieved in the late nineties when he retreaded a tire from bead to bead that looked and performed like a new tire.  He reaped the benefit of his work and enjoyed life to the fullest. He loved Christmas.  “White’s Lights” was the highlight of the Christmas season in Wilson for many years.  For twenty-one years proceeds were donated to Greenfield School and later included WilMed Hospice and Imagination Station.  Pop White’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren will have many treasured memories of Christmas with Santa Clause in his home. One of his greatest loves, other than his family and business, was music.  He enjoyed recording music to play at social and community events at his home such as weddings, receptions, and proms. Ed continued working in his business until October 2013.  He was a self-determined man motivated by hard work and a strong will to complete his dreams and convictions. Ed is survived by his loving wife, Sandra Whitfield White, his daughters, Patsy White Cotten and Becky Wells and husband, Graham; his sons, Steve White and wife, Sharon and Bobby White and wife, Jennifer; his step-daughter, Cristy Garner and husband, Scott; his seventeen grandchildren and his twenty-nine great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his beloved son, James E. White, Jr.; his first wife, Sallie Walston White; his parents, Johnnie F. and Minnie White; his sisters, Fannie White, Annie Clay, and Nina Edwards and his brothers, Colen White, Johnnie White, Roland White, and Joseph Levis White. Heartfelt thanks to his nieces, Peggy White and Pam Porter; Mario and Nancy, for the care and love they gave Ed.  A special thank you to WilMed Hospice and Action Health Staffing. Flowers are welcome or memorials may be directed to the WilMed Hospice Center, 1705 Tarboro Street S., Wilson, NC  27893. Condolences may be directed to www.joyners.net.