Obituary of Sally Ann White

Sally Ann White, 72, of Talladega, passed away peacefully on April 30, encircled by her praying family, close friends, and her pastor.  The difficulty of saying goodbye was eased by the knowledge that she was passing into the arms of her loving Savior. She was preceded in death by her father, James B. White, Jr.; mother, Evelyn B. White; aunt, Joan B. Nelson; and sister, Beverly H. White.

Sally lived servanthood. From a career as a nurse and as a caterer, to caring for her aging parents and working at Griffins Jewelers in her younger years,  all the way to walking with insistent, but frail steps in her later years to carry jugs of water around the church grounds each Friday, to pour over flower beds, she went about the business of serving others quietly. To those of us lucky enough to be related to her, Aunt Sally was often like a mother.  She was a consistent source of guiding wisdom, a shoulder to cry on, and overflowing with love. To those not blood related, there was no less an abundance of care.

Honoring Sally’s memory with patient and compassionate hearts toward friends and family, faithful service to our communities, and especially a sense of humor in the face of difficulty

will allow her to live on within us.  She lived these things, and living by her example will gift our own lives with the same amazing strength, powered by faith.  With boundless love and a servant heart, Sally seeded the same within us, tending the fertile ground of our own hearts all our lives.   Much like the church gardens watered faithfully by her frail but devoted hand, long past the time when walking was easy, she tended to all of us.  Recognizing every flower in her life for what it was, Sally built us up so we could all bloom surrounded by rich faith.

She is survived by her sister, Mary Burk Smith (Lin); nephews Marc A. Nelson, J. Frank Nelson (Kelly), Christopher J. Hearn (Alisa), William C. Hearn, III (Kristy); nieces Catherine H. Stelpflug (Joe), Penny C. Bates, Hope N. Pepe, Kelly B. Clevenger; many cousins, precious grand nieces and nephews, and a great-grandnephew, as well as many dear friends.