Joe White

Noel Joseph “Joe” White was born December 23rd, 1930 in Watts, Oklahoma and he departed this life to be with the Lord on Monday, August 9th, 2021 at the Veterans Memorial Hospital in Fayetteville, Arkansas.  Joe is the son of the late Harold and Pearl White.

Joe was a graduate of Stilwell High School.  In his younger days, he was a great athlete who went on to play football for the Army 45th Division team, Central State and Northeastern State University.  Joe proudly served his country for 4 years as a member of the 45th Infantry Division of the United States Army during the Korean War.  After the Korean War, Joe married the love of his life, Lorene Dunaway on July 3rd, 1954.  After college, he went on to be a Coach, Teacher, Administrator, and Pastor.  His passion for teaching was evident in all the lives that he touched.  In his retirement, he loved to play golf, spend time with family, and write books.  He was a lifelong learner who earned a PhD and an author who had three books published.

Joe founded several churches in Adair County.  He currently served as the pastor of the Freedom Christian Center.  He enjoyed playing the trumpet, singing Gospel music and Christian fellowship.  To know Joe, you know he loved sharing the Bible and his love of Jesus with others.  Joe cherished his time playing music with the White Brothers.  Jerry, Bill, and Harold (his dad) played trombone, Pearl (his mom) and Larry played the piano while John played the drums.  The family musical group provided many entertainment opportunities in the community.  The Gospel singings and music were the focus of many family holiday celebrations.  His love for music and his musical talents have been passed down to many of his family members.

Joe was a retired Coach who enjoyed watching sports and following local Adair County teams.  Coach White could often be seen cheering from the sidelines at basketball and football games.   He enjoyed following the teams his son coached and some of his favorite memories were family road trips to the State Tournament for the Westville and Stilwell basketball teams.  You could see him coaching from the sidelines and giving his infamous #1 sign!

Joe had a heart for animals and couldn’t turn away a stray.  Over the years, he rescued many dogs and cats providing them with a home.  He loved walking his dogs; Smiley, Sassy, and Button along the banks of Barren and Peavine Creek.

Joe’s family was his number one priority.  He loved being a Dad and Grandad.  He loved cookouts at the creek, birthday dinners at the Catfish Hole and holiday celebrations at his home. He cherished every moment spent with his family and taught them all the most important thing in life, to love God with all your heart.

Joe is proceeded in death by his parents, Harold and Pearl White of Stilwell, and his brothers Bill and David of Stilwell; his wife Lorene White of Baron.

Joe is survived by his children, Joseph White of Stilwell, Debra Hummingbird of Baron, Ron Dunaway and wife Jennifer of Tulsa, and the late Melvonna Dunaway of Stilwell, and Wendy Kimble and husband Jeff of Westville; his brothers: John White of Stilwell, Larry White and wife Sue of Broken Arrow, and Jerry and wife Mary of Stilwell; grandchildren: Heath Watt and his wife Maegon of Westville, Rachel Hummingbird of Baron, Rebecca and her husband Bret Barton of Stilwell, Hunter Littlejohn of Westville, Courtney Kimble of Westville, Dylan and his wife Luz Kimble of Westville, Dara Fountain of Stilwell, Cara and husband Hunter Stevens of Stilwell, Sara Fountain of Rogers, Arkansas and Mackenzie Duncan and Matthew Gilmore of Tulsa; great grandchildren:  Ellie and Edie Barton, Julia Littlejohn, Aiden Kimble, Blaze Christie, Everly Christie, Ridge Stevens, and Ruger Osbourn.  A host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends also survive him.