Shirley T. White

Commemorating

The Loving Memory of

Mother Shirley T. White

Sunrise: December 7, 1935 Sunset: January 23, 2025

Services
February 21, 2025 Visitation, 6:00PM-8:00PM

Whitney & Murphy Bueler Mortuary, 14 W. Hulet Dr. Chandler, AZ 85225

February 22, 2025 Funeral, 10:00AM Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church 

473 S. Colorado St, Chandler, AZ 85225

Officiating: Pastor Thomas E. Wiggins

Obituary

"A life Well Lived"

Mother Shirley T. White was born to Estella Purify and Jessie Jones, on December 7, 1935, in North Carolina, her parents proceeded her in death. She was the youngest of six children, all who proceeded her in death, two sisters, Pathina, Rosa and three brothers Jessie, Jack, and Harvey. 

Shirley attended school in Smithfield North Carolina. Interestingly, she graduated when she was sixteen years old, this shows her intelligence and determination, while in first grade she wouldn't stay in her class. She wanted to be with her niece who was in the second grade, since Shirley could do the work, she was allowed to skip the first grade. 

After graduating from high school Shirley landed her first job at Virginia Beach, this was an exciting job for a high school graduate. After the excitement wore off Shirley moved to Washington DC, there she attended Marilyn State College and worked for Forest Realty that specialized in historical paperwork for roads, bridges, and Fredericksburg Va. Shirley decided to put college on hold and continued to work for Forest Realty. 

She married Johnny Butler in 1957, he was enlisted in the Air Force. Then she began her travels first to Louisiana then to Texas, next to the land of beginnings, Africa, they lived there three years, and their first child Derric was born. Shirley expressed Africa was a good experience, actually some of the places reminded her of home. Shirley shared, "I was surprised to hear some of the phrases the people said was much like the elders at home." I was fortunate to experience weddings and funerals. The weddings were quite different, the bride would give gifts to the groom, goats, chickens, and lambs. 

Shirley recalled Plattsburg New York was next for the Butler family, it was a very pretty and historical city; their daughter Kim was born. After living in New York, they received orders to Nebraska, from there they located to Germany for three years. Shirley shared she did not care much for Germany, however from Germany Shirley's family finally arrives in Chandler Arizona in 1971. 

Shirley applied for employment at the Human Action for Chandler (CAP) there she met Obadiah Jackson, he was on the Board of the Community Action Agency and on the hiring committee. He assisted her in landing her first job in Arizona, this is where she met Ona Woods. Through much interaction with Ona they developed a close relationship, he was one of a kind. Shirley's job assigned her to the South Chandler area and this is when she met and developed relationships with families in South Chandler. To her surprise the community welcomed her with open arms. 

Shirley recalls as if it was yesterday, walking in downtown Chandler as she was learning her way around and the first person she met was Marshall Woods; he was quite friendly. As she traveled through south Chandler she met Maudean Arbuckle, and Aunt Sarah Woods. Shirley recalls the love she shared with Ms. Minnie Mos- ley. While Shirley worked for CAP, she became troubled with students going to school hungry because their parents did not fill out the free lunch forms. This drove Shirley to tears and to Superintendent Perry's office and there she met with Eddie Basha. She expressed to them how children aren't able to learn when they are hungry, so the next day the school provided food for students who qualified for free lunch. 

Shirley also assisted Chandler residents with unlawful traffic citations, she would talk to the former Judge Coy Beasley who was a nice, fair man, and justice would take place. 

Shirley called to mind, in 1973 that she divorced and later married Melvin White in 1975, Elder Willie Arbuckle Sr. performed the ceremony. This marriage was special because Melvin put a lot of emphasis on the children. He loved my children, and they loved him. The loved they shared was so special, people thought he was their father. Shirley and her family united with First AME Church under the leadership of Reverend Bernard Jackson. Shirley also worked for the Chandler Parks and Recreation, she worked for Maricopa County Job Training, as an Affirmative Action Officer. Shirley lovingly reminisced, in 1983 while working for the Chandler School District, she met Theotis Akins who she bonded with and called him her baby. 

Shirley recalls in the mid 70's, along with her good friend Mrs. Ruth Powell, they partnered and volunteered their time to the Chandler High School Black Student Union. Their prime goal was to motivate Black students to finish high school, to become involved in extra curriculum activities and attend college. 

Shirley affectionately recalls in 1995 Melvin passed away, and this was a hard adjustment, but she trusted in the Lord to see her through. In 1996 she joined Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist church where she continued to be an active member until her health began to fail. She served on the trustee board for three years and she was on the senior mission board. Shirley was extremely elated to earn the Emma Arbuckle Empowerment Award in 2022, presented by the City of Chandler, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Division. 

In 1996 Shirley retired from the Helping Profession. She stated, "Chandler AZ has been good to me." She sees herself as head strong, "I say what I mean and mean what I say, I've always been outspoken." She likes going to church, pleasant people, and she likes to laugh. She dislikes high minded, greedy, and negative people. 

Shirley was a devoted mother to her children, who were her pride and joy. She would always say having children changed her life for the better. She would say that she felt the love and support was reciprocated. She took special joy in all aspects of parenthood, and expressed fond memories watching her children grow to adulthood, and she was assured knowing that she gave them the necessary tools to survive in this complicated world. 

Shirley leaves to cherish her memories two children, Derric, Kim (Michael), two step daughters Denise, Deidra, three granddaughters, Monique (Alex), Brianna (Nat), Clarissa, two step granddaughters Maddie, Aundrea, one step grandson, Brandon, and fourteen great grandchildren, and a host of other relatives and friends. 

An excerpt of an interview of a live well lived Mother Shirley White, 

Interviewee Francine Akins-Arbuckle