Ava Honeycutt White was born on January 19, 1937 to the late Elijah & Pearl Honeycutt of the rural Ravenden, Arkansas community. She was the youngest of 10 children and was raised on the family farm. Passing away on December 7th, 2024, her sojourn on this earth encompassed 87 years, specifically, 32,100 days. After graduating from Ravenden High School, she went to live with her sister Neva and her husband, Lehman in St. Louis, MO. It was while working for Sears Robuck she literally bumped into the man that would become the love of her life and her mate for over 67 years, Charles A. White of St. Louis. Within that first year of marriage, they brought their first child, Kyle, a special needs baby entered the world. They later made their home in Henderson, TN, where Charles was enrolled in Freed-Hardeman College as a ministerial student. While they lived in Henderson, their second child, Kevin was born. After receiving a 3 year degree at F-HC, they moved to Oklahoma, where Charles received his BA in Bible from Oklahoma Christian College. It was in Oklahoma City that their third child, Donna was born. Following graduation from college, their lives were fully involved in ministry, taking them to congregations in Oklahoma City, Springfield, Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, East Peoria, Illinois, Ozark, Missouri and Centerville, TN. Their fourth child, Dana, was born while in Springfield, Missouri. While being a full-time homemaker, while the kids were little, she worked part-time as a Welcome Wagon Hostess and was also a salesperson for Avon. Later, when the kids were school age, she began a career as a Bank Teller for Commerce Bank in Springfield, Mo and then later retired as a Teller with Ozark Bank in Ozark, MO. Ava was very talented and had a work ethic that was truly amazing. She loved to have a huge garden that enabled her to can vegetables that would last the family year round. She was a master seamstress that made countless dresses and outfits for herself and the girls. She was able to make quilts that kept the family warm throughout the winters. She had the proverbial green thumb and enjoyed a yard overflowing with foliage, while keeping the house full of plants and flowers. Ava was a renown cook. One of her greatest joys was to cook and bake for her family and for those in the community. Every holiday was a feast of homemade foods, desserts and candies. Charles and Ava retired in 2002 and moved to Dickson, Tennessee to be near their grown children and grandchildren. They were faithful members of the Walnut Street Church of Christ for over 20 years. They continued to give total care for their special needs son, Kyle, until Charles’ death in September of 2023. Following his death, Ava and Kyle moved to Lebanon, TN, so that Kevin could help care for his mother and brother. She cherished getting to be a part of the Berea Church of Christ in Lebanon until the time of her death. Ava was preceded in death by her husband, Charles and daughter, Donna. She was also preceded in death by her parents and seven siblings: Nathaniel Honeycutt, Viola Honeycutt, Berry Honeycutt, Earl Honeycutt, Neva James, Harold Honeycutt, and Dorthea Honeycutt. She is survived by sons, Kyle and Kevin (Delana) of Lebanon, TN and daughter, Dana (Philip) McKelvy of Bartlett, TN. Grandchildren: Ashley (Aaron) Schmitt-Matzen, Brandon White (Fiance’ Danielle), Dhanielle (Brett) Cursey, Camryn McKelvy, Holden McKelvy, Samantha Mosley and Sawyer Mosley. Great-Grandchildren: Liam, Harper, Nora and Lenox Schmitt-Matzen. She is also survived by a sister, Mary Marriott of Pocahantas, AR and a brother, Ben Honeycutt of Jonesboro, AR. She leaves behind a host of beloved nieces and nephews. Ava also cherished the relationships she enjoyed with her brothers and sisters in Christ at every congregation that she and Charles served at in their more than 60 years of ministry. The family owes a debt of gratitude to Dr Byron Haitas, Dr. Walter Stephens, and Dr. Samuel Crutcher for their exceptional care. A special thanks to everyone at Gentiva Hospice, Debbie Taylor and Debbie Klingler for their assistance. Their gracious care enabled Ava to stay in her home all the way to the end. A Visitation will take place on Monday, December 9th from 2:30 – 6:30 pm at the Berea Church of Christ in Lebanon, Tennessee with a funeral service to follow at 6:30 pm. Mike Flanagan, Lee Mangrum and Kevin White will be officiating. Curry Dudley will lead congregational singing. John Bryan, Nathan Graham, Johnathon Forrest, Colby James, Jeff Klingler and Donnie Steed will serve as Pallbearers. The Elders and Deacons of the Berea Church of Christ will serve as Honorary Pallbearers. On Wednesday, December 11th, there will be a Visitation at Carter Funeral Home in Thayer, MO from 11:00 -1:00 p.m. with a funeral service to begin at 1 p.m. with Kevin White to officiate. Burial will follow at Thayer Cemetery. Family members will serve as Pallbearers. If you would like to honor her memory, you are encouraged to donate to the Donna White Memorial Scholarship at Freed-Hardeman University.
Ava White Obituary (1937 – 2024) – Lebanon, Tennessee