Rev Ralph F White

Today we celebrate the home-going of Rev. Ralph Franklin White, son of the late Theodore and Pearl Beaver White, who was born on January 2, 1937 and departed this mortal life on Saturday, August 3, 2013 at Hill's Nursing Home.

Ralph accepted Christ at an early age, and was baptized in the Maple Springs
community in Idabel, OK. Ralph attended Idabel Public Schools graduating from
Booker T Washington High School in 1957 where he was active in football and
basketball. After graduation Ralph continued to develop his passion for hunting,fishing and most sports. Ralph continued that passion for sports when he entered the military by making the Marine core football team where he played running back.

After being honorably discharged from the Marines in 1960 Ralph relocated to Houston, Texas.

On a bus commute to his job at Alright Auto parts Ralph met the love of his life Mosea Mitchell and after a brief courtship of six months they were married in March of 1961. After their marriage Ralph accepted a new position as a supervisor with Western Gillette Freight Company. In September of 1962 the family grew by one with the birth of his pride and joy, their son Roy Neal White.

Influenced by his sister Fannie Vaughn, Ralph took his family to attend services at
Gospel Hill Baptist Church where he eventually felt the call to join under Pastor Robert M. Hobley. Ralph sung in the choir, and was active in the Bible Band Baptist Training Union Sunday School where he was ordained as a deacon. He was called into the ministry in 1971 and ordained by his pastor Rev. Robert M. Hobley and began his theological studies at Southern Bible College.

In 1972 God began a new work in the life of Ralph and the family when the current pastor of First Baptist Church Westside Reverend Jones sent the chairman of the
deacon board L. L. Blandon to request his presence for a meeting with the result being he was chosen to be his successor. Ralph went on to lead the church through
and era of change and growth and under his leadership the membership grew exponentially, with several ministers being ordained as well as deacons. The church was remodeled, a fellowship hall was added, the mortgage for that fellowship hall paid off, property added for parking and a bus purchased for transportation. Ralph served faithfully as a member of the Southeastern District Association serving in the
capacity of District Moderator for several of those years. As an active member of the
Idabel Ministerial Alliance Ralph held several offices, and helped to build and support positive relationships between the many stakeholders in the community, city and state. Ralph served faithfully on many boards for several years including the E. T.
Dunlap Center for Higher Education. God allowed Ralph to serve faithfully as pastor
of the First Baptist Church (Westside) for 33 years retiring in 2005 where he became
Pastor "Emeritus".

In 1975 Ralph graduated from Southeastern Oklahoma State University with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Sociology. Ralph's passion was loving God and
loving people and his desire was to put his degree to use servicing people as a Social
Worker. After reaching out to several prominent citizens for references, and with the
assistance of Senator Lane, Ralph was able to land a position with the Idabel Department of Human Services, (DHS) beginning his career in 1976. Ralph
maximized his opportunities through DHS assisting individuals, families and the community as a whole for twenty-five years retiring as a Social Service Supervisor in March of 2001.

In the late 1990's Ralph added to the wealth of knowledge and fulfilled his desire to
go into farming and ranching. This goal was accomplished when he was able to purchase cattle, and several acres of land around his old homestead.

Ralph derived great joy from working the land, and loved doing so on his new tractor. He enjoyed farming and ranching until his heath began to fail.

He was also a Dad to many god sons including; William Hamilton, Calvin Johnson, Dathan, and Brandon Hunter, Rodney and Ronald Ingram, and Rev. A.W. Gulley.
Ralph is the 9th child of 13 children.

He is preceded in death by his parents, 8 siblings: Cora, Charlene, James, Cleo, Fannie
Vaughn, Theodore Jr., Otilla, Willie B. Schoals, and 1 grandson Trevor White.

He leaves to cherish his memory his wife of 52 years Mosea White of the home; Son Roy Neal (Veronica) White of Houston TX; Siblings Sam White Denver, Co., Rubin White Hobbs, NM,, Jerry Dale (Mary) White Frederick Co., Lula (Robert) Johnson, Idabel, Grandchildren; Tremone White, Tivyronne White, Tobias
White,Tori White all of Houston, and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives kindred and friends.

Funeral Services are set for 11 AM Saturday August 10, 2013 at First Baptist Church (Westside) with Rev. A. W Gulley. officiating.

Interment will follow at Williamston Cemetery.

Wake and visitation will be from 9 am to 11am on Saturday morning prior to his service.