Virgil Woodard White

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Virgil Woodard White, 85, retired operator for Texas Eastern and lifelong resident of Columbia, died Monday, October 28, 2024 at Maury Regional Medical Center.

Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, November 2, 2024 at 10:00 AM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home with Clay Gentry officiating. Burial will follow at Knob Creek Cemetery with military honors provided by the Herbert Griffin American Legion Post 19 . The family will visit with friends Friday, November 1, 2024 from 3:00 PM till 8:00 PM, and on Saturday from 9:00 AM till the time of service at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home.

The family suggest memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105; or to Columbia Academy Preschool, 1101 W 7th St, Columbia, TN 38401. Online condolences may be extended at www.oakesandnichols.com.

Born March 1, 1939 in Columbia, TN, he was the son of the late John William White and the late Virginia Davis White. On September 25, 1958, he married the love of his life, Doris Nelda Brown White, and together they shared 43 wonderful years together, till her death in 2001. Virgil proudly served as a Sergeant E3 in the National Guard for eight years from 1957 to 1965. He began his extensive working career as a young boy, delivering newspapers. After retiring from Texas Eastern, he owned and operated Virgil’s Paint and Body Shop, where he was well known for his talents and attention to detail. After retiring a second time, he went on to work at Columbia Academy at the preschool and after school care with Doris. Later in life he continued to stay busy working numerous jobs, including as a door greeter at Walmart, meter reader, and later as a bus driver for Maury County Schools. Virgil enjoyed watching Andy Griffith, John Wayne, westerns, and hanging out with his nephew, Tony, at his antique store. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather, and spending time with his family was his greatest joy. He loved children, and treated them all as his own. Virgil was a longtime member of Jackson Heights Church of Christ. 

He is survived by his great nephew, whom he reared as his son, Jason (Hope) Wright; daughter, Virginia Elaine (Joe) Bennett; his granddaughter, Kayla (Adam) Stewart, who was ”his princess” and helped take care of him; grandsons, Chris Lindsey, and Josh Bennett; great-grandchildren, Brooklyn Lindsey, Timothy Lindsey, Raylynn Lindsey, Brantley Bennett, Stetson Stewart, Emily Wright, and Clayton Wright; brother-in-law, Doug (Janice) Brown; special friend of 18 years, Carolyn Mathis; and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family whom he dearly loved.

In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by his infant son, Dennis Virgil White; son, John Timothy White; and brothers, James Thomas White, and Roy W. White. 

Active pallbearers will be Adam Stewart, James Hill, Clayton Wright, Clint Derryberry, Tim Garrison, Tyler Garrison, Jeff Nicholson, Jeff Richardson, Jeremy Stewart, and Bryce Old. Honorary pallbearers will include Bobby Gaskill, David Lovett, Gary Sims, Cliff Journey, Harlan Jones, Randy and Shirley Wright, members of Jackson Heights Church of Christ, past and present employees of Texas Eastern, and the members of the Hardee’s and McDonald’s breakfast crews. 

The family wishes to express a heartfelt thank you to his nieces, Carol Andrews and Betsy Caperton for all the help, love, and care they have continually given him through the years, most especially recently during his illness.