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Samuel Leon White, the third son of the late Eugene and
Elizabeth White was born February 10, 1919 in Bristol, Tennessee.
He became a member of Hood Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church, Bristol, Tennessee
at an early age under the pastorate of the Rev. W. A. Witherspoon.
He was active in Hood Memorial where he was assistant superintendent of
the Sunday school, president of the Varick Christian Endeavor Society,
a member of the Steward Board and assistant scoutmaster of Troop #20,
Boy Scouts of America.
He was the first black to become a First Class Scout and to earn five
merit badges in the Bristol area. Mr. White was educated in the public
schools of Bristol, Tennessee and completed his education at Pioneer Business
Institute in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
He was united in marriage to Lelia Penn in 1940. To this union six children
were born-James Phillip, Patricia Ann, Lawrence Oliver, Robert Lewis,
Samuel Eugene, and Sheila. This union ended in divorce.
Mr. White served three and a half years in the Armed Forces
of the United States both in the States and in the Pacific theatre of
war.
He was honorably discharged in 1945. Mr. White was united in marriage
to Aletha Walters in 1949 and then moved to New York City. This union
was blessed with three children-Lisa Marie, Linda Joyce, and Kevin Alan.
He became a member of Varick A.M.E. Zion Church, Brooklyn, New York in
1961 under the pastorate of the Reverend Franklin Smith.
After moving from Brooklyn to Manhattan, he transferred his membership
to Greater Hood Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church in 1965 under the pastorate
of Dr. Frank E. Churchill. Mr. White was a member of the Steward Board
and served as its secretary, he was the Leader of Class #10, a member
of the Revival Chorus and served as its treasurer.
He was also a member of Hood Memorial’s Layman’s Council, a member of
the Usher Board and an honorary member of Women’s Home and Foreign Missionary
Society #1. He was instrumental in forming Cub Scout Pack #146 and served
as Cub Scout Master.
He is survived by a loving wife, eight children, many grandchildren, great
grandchildren, and numerous other relatives and friends.
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