Vera Mae (Westbrook) White

Vera Westbrook White of Rossville passed away Monday, March 18, 2024.  Vera was born in Fyffe, AL in Dekalb County, on May 24, 1931, to her late parents, Herbert Westbrook and Vada Blackwell Westbrook.  She was a member of the Rossville First Baptist Church and the Buck Brown Sunday School Class.

A graduate of Fyffe High School Fyffe, AL class of 1949, Vera was a favorite among her classmates and teachers.  She was so tiny when starting Fyffe Elementary School and riding the bus that she was nicknamed “Cricket” and received special attention by older students and the bus driver.  A member of the Drama Club, she had the female leading role in the senior class play, was listed in Senior’s Who’s Who, and elected Fyffe High School Homecoming Queen in 1949.  Following graduation, Vera moved to Chattanooga, TN, where she became employed by South Central Bell Telephone Co., later joining the Hutcheson family-owned Peerless Woolen Mills in Rossville, GA.  When the mill was sold to Burlington Industries, she worked for the plant manager at Rossville Mills until her retirement in 1996.

Vera was dedicated to caring for her beloved family- husband, Gene, Son, Bill, and grandson, Cameron.  They were always the highlight of her life, and much of her leisure time was spent in enthusiastically following and attending Gene’s basketball games in the Dixie League; Bill’s at Rossville High School, where he excelled as a member of the varsity team, and Cameron’s varsity games at LFO, each wearing the jersey number 22.  Vera was best friend to and a major fan of sister, Doris, always encouraging her participation in numerous civic and community projects and personally serving as a behind-the-scenes volunteer.  Vera was known for her delicious cooking and known for her Pinacolato Cake, Banana Pudding, and Banana Bread.

She was preceded in death by her high school sweetheart and devoted husband of 70 plus years, William E. “Gene” White; son, Bill White; parents, Herbert and Vada Westbrook; brother, Glen “Sambo” Westbrook; brothers-in-law, Hoyt and Carl White; and sister-in-law, Lora D. Swancy.

Survivors include her grandson, Cameron White; sister, Doris White; brother, Edd (Ila) Westbrook; sister-in-law, Sarah White; nephews, Joel (Delane) Westbrook, Kerry (Amanda) Westbrook, and Scot (Rebecca) Westbrook; niece, Lana Westbrook (Glen) McGee; extended family; nieces, Carla White (Scott) Elrod and Belinda White (Alan) Crisman.

Condolences may be made to the White family and live webcasting of the funeral service for Mrs. White will be available at www.lane-southcrestchapel.com

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Mrs. White’s name to the Charity of your choice.

The family wishes to express their sincere appreciation to the Canopy at Boynton Ridge Memory Care Unit and Tapestry Hospice for love and kindness to Vera.

Funeral services will be held Friday at 1:00p.m. in the South Crest Chapel with Reverend David Tullock and Joel Westbrook officiating.

Interment will follow in the Lakewood South Memory Gardens with Joel Westbrook, Kerry Westbrook, Scot Westbrook, Glen McGee, Scot Elrod, and Alan Crisman serving as Pallbearers.

The family will receive friends Friday from 11:00a.m. until the funeral hour at the South Crest Chapel of Lane Funeral Home and Crematory, Rossville, GA.