On Friday April 4, 2025, Edna Ruth White, age 95, was welcomed in the arms of her loving Savior while resting in her home in Cleveland, TN. Edna was born September 11,1929 to the late Earnest Johnson and Ella Mae Johnson. Edna graduated from College Hill School in 1947. Edna was employed at Cleveland Chair and Cherokee National Forestry Service.

As a woman of God and a fervent Prayer Warrior, she was a devout member of Saint James Cumberland Presbyterian Church of America. During her membership she supervised the young adult choir now known as the Inspirational Chorus, served on the Usher Board, was a Co-Chair on the kitchen Committee, a Missionary, an Elder, taught Sunday School and Bible study, participated in and directed the Adult and Children’s Choir. She was faithful in attending all of her denominational courts such Presbytery, Synod, and General Assembly. While nothing could compare to her love of the Bible and Scripture, Edna loved to travel and could often be found “in town” with Darlin (Lillian Thompson) and Keturah.

Edna was well known in the community for unwaveringly sending the Daily Bread and scripture inserts to anyone and everyone that found themselves incarcerated. It didn’t matter if you were family or not, from state-to-state it was Edna’s mission to reach people where they were. If you were sick, Edna wouldn’t hesitate to send a plate along with the Daily Bread and Scripture inserts, followed by a call and a prayer. Edna fed the community of Cleveland with prayer, a plate of food and the WORD OF GOD!

Edna is preceded in death by her late husband, Jesse White Sr.; her parents Ernest Johnson and Ella Mae Johnson (Eddie Dago); sister Pauline (Clifford) Craven; son Therris White; granddaughters Jocelyn (Rodney) Wright, Jacquesta Ballew, Cicely Peterson; aunt Lillian (Buster) McCarver; uncle, Samuel Jenkins; nephews, Monroe and Andre (Tetter) Johnson, Stanley and Larry Hickey; niece, Paulette Mee, best friends Lillian Thompson and Lillian Gains.

She leaves to cherish her memories son Jesse White; daughters Verona (Phil) Bazel; Natacha (Andy) Hudgins; Griselda (William) Mee; Franchesta White; god-daughters Rev Rhonda Westfield and Angelique Ware; a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great great-grandchildren, nieces Beverly Wells, Benita Hickey, Phyllis (Tim) Miller. 

She was loved by many family members and family friends Rev. Dr. Mitchel (Elaine) Walker and Rev. Edward (Edwina) Robinson.

Special thanks to Vanessa Howell, Hearth Hospice of Cleveland, Chaplain Marvin Eskew, Traci Pryor, Jan Bartolo.