James L. White

“His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of they lord.” Matthew 25:21 Master Sergeant James L. White (Ret.) was born January 29, 1936 in Suffolk, VA to the late Susie White Morris.  He was predeceased by his grandmother, Annie Mae Camp. He was a 1954 graduate of East Suffolk High School. After graduating he joined the United States Air Force and was trained as a Bombing Navigational Mechanic. His duty positions progressed him from Third Level Mechanic to Seventh Level Master Technician as the Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge of his Maintenance Squadron.    After training at Lackland AFB in Texas, his military career carried him to duty stations at Hunter AFB in Savannah, GA; Schilling AFB in Salina, KS; Castle AFB in Atwater, CA; Little Rock AFB in Jacksonville, AR; Loring AFB in Limestone, ME; and he retired from Seymour Johnson AFB in Goldsboro, NC. After retiring, he moved to Chesapeake, VA and began working as a civilian for the Unites States Navy. After thirteen years with the Navy, he transitioned to a position with the United States Army at Fort Eustis where he retired in 2009. James had many names including “Billy Boy”, “Jimmy”, “Billy”, and “Papa”. He had a huge sense of humor and was a jack of all trades- or as the kids would say, “Papa can fix it, he can fix anything”; this included woodworking, cooking (including the best dressing this side of heaven), having a green thumb (especially his love for his plant “Ms. Lee”), and a knack for making anything out duct tape.  You would often find him spending time completing crossword puzzles or engaged in a conversation about his PT Cruiser.  James was a devoted disciple of Tabernacle Christian Church in Suffolk, VA. He was highly respected as the chairman of the Deacon Ministry and a member of the Male Chorus where he led many solos, his favorite being “I’m Gonna Stay Under the Blood”. He was also a devoted member of Sunday School and Bible Study where he often taught classes.  James had a deep love for the Lord and an unwavering dedication to Tabernacle. Not only did he cherish Bishop Upton as his shepherd, he loved him as his friend.    James was married to the love of his life, Louise White, for 63 cherished years.  They married as high school sweethearts on July 9, 1955. Born from their union were Deborah Denise Marshall (Alan) of Chesapeake, VA and Jacqueline Goode (Howard Jr.) of Chesapeake, VA. He was the doting grandfather of Nathaniel Alexander, Tia Goode, Tracy Alexander, Howard Goode IV, his wife Nicole Goode and DuKesha Goode. He was the great-grandfather of Maiyah Alexander, Nathaniel Alexander II, Jace Goode, Joiya Whitney and a great grandpuppy Zoe. He leaves them and a host of cherished brother and sister in-laws, nieces, nephews, other family and friends to cherish his memory. A celebration of his life will be held at 12:00 PM on Saturday, January 12, 2019 at St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church, 2714 Fredrick Blvd, Portsmouth, VA 23704.  Interment to follow Monday, January 14, 2019 at Albert G. Horton Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery, 5310 Milners Rd, Suffolk, VA 23434. Professional services with dignity have been entrusted to Crocker Funeral Home, Inc. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of James L. White, please visit our flower store.