Wayne White

WAYNE WHITELawson Wayne White, 60, Maury County Registrar of Deeds, died Tuesday, May 20, 2003, at his residence after an arduous battle with cancer. Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 P.M. Friday at West Seventh Street Church of Christ with Ted Burleson, Rev. Bill Williamson, and Porter King officiating. Burial will be in Worley Cemetery. The family will visit with friends Thursday from 3:00 - 8:00 P.M. at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the Sound System Fund at West Seventh Street Church of Christ. Notes of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.oakesandnichols.com. The Maury County native was the son of Sarah White Hutto and Sarah Pugh Hand, both of Columbia, and the late George Lawson White. Wayne led a most accomplished life as both musician and county official, with an irrepressible dedication and love for both pervading his life, second only to that for his family. As he described it, his work as the Registrar of Deeds was what he did, but a musician was what he was. Joining the American Federation of Musicians Local 257 in 1964 so he could play at the Starlight Club, Wayne soon found more lucrative opportunities on the road before returning to Nashville for eight years of live performance, recording and television at Opryland USA. His career as a Nashville-based touring musician brought him tenures as a sideman for artists such as Leroy Van Dyke, Sonny James, Dottie West, Ernest Tubb, and Mel Tillis. During his career White also had the opportunity to perform with Ray Charles, Chet Atkins, Willie Nelson, and The Carter Family, and had multiple appearances in venues such as Madison Square Garden, the Ed Sullivan Show, and the Grand Ole Opry. White was even featured in a film entitled "What Am I Bid", about and starring White's employer Leroy Van Dyke. His recording credits include two records with Dottie West, one of which was recorded in RCA's legendary Studio B in Nashville, countless demos and freelance recordings, and multiple recordings with the cast of Country Music USA at Opryland. While at Opryland, Wayne was often employed as a copyist for the television show Opryland on Stage, for which he was also employed as a performer. An accomplished songwriter and arranger with a vast catalogue, Wayne had his songs recorded by artists such as Dottie West and Jack Palance, with writing credits on RCA and Word Records, among others. Mr. White was Adjunct Professor of Percussion at Vanderbilt University's Blair School of Music since 2001. For many years, he had taught private lessons locally for middle school and high school, often teaching more than thirty students. Mr. White's career in government began in 1990, when he was elected to the office of Maury County Register of Deeds. The same persistence, honesty, and soul that were his as an entertainer were those that were recognized by the people of Maury County in their Registrar of Deeds, and resulted in his three unopposed reelections to that office. He was honored by his nomination by Governor Ned McWherter to serve on the Tennessee Historical Records Advisory Board, a position he filled from 1985 until the present. This genuine interest in and natural competency with the preservation of archives was also recognized locally, and precipitated his being appointed the initial director of the Maury County Archives. A dedicated member of the community, Wayne was a longtime member of the Sons of the American Legion, Columbia Kiwanis Club, Tennessee Register's Association, the Tennessee County Officials Association, and the West Seventh Street Church of Christ. Whether as an audience member of a gratis program at a school, meeting, or dinner, or as one of his students, most of the members of this community have been touched by the music of Wayne White. Whether as a member of an audience for which he was the emcee, over his counter at One Public Square, or just in passing at the bank or on the street, most of us have been touched by his sense of humor and gentle kindness. He felt that his roots were deep in Columbia, and to those he remained dedicated throughout his career. It was an enormous honor for him to have the opportunity to serve this place and its people, both as entertainer and as county official. Of all these, in his own words he suggests, "Of all I hope to give.the evidence of the living God is foremost." Other survivors include his wife of forty-one years, Carnice Pogue White of Columbia; two daughters, Jane Hilda (Jason) Scharsch of Murfreesboro; Jill (Shane) Petty of Chapel Hill; one son, Lawson Wayne White, Jr. of New Haven, Connecticut; one sister, Linda Gail (Kenny) Johnson of Newberg, Indiana; three brothers, Chuck (Karen) Frasier of Johnson City; Tony (Cristy) White of Lawrenceburg; Danny (Cheryl) White of Lewisburg; and three grandchildren, Hannah Grace Petty, Virginia Lake Petty, and Jackson Drum Scharsch. Pallbearers will be Sonny James, Milo Liggett, Jack Galloway, Larry Hubbell, Bill Sleeter, Marty Breger, John Fleming, and Lloyd Wells. Honorary pallbearers will be elders and deacons of West Seventh Street Church of Christ, Maury County Officials, employees of Maury County Courthouse, and members of Porter King Sunday Morning Class.