Josephine "Jo" White, 91, of Arkadelphia, AR, departed this life to eternal life on March 22, 2023. She was born on November 5, 1931, in Ruston, Louisiana, to the union of Earl Colvin and Floy Green Colvin.

Jo graduated from Ruston High in 1948 and from Louisiana Tech University in 1952 with a degree in Home Economics. In December 1952 she married Clay White, and they lived in Jena, LA, until 2016, raising their four children there. They were able to celebrate 67 years of marriage before Clay's passing in 2020. Jo was a mother and housewife who began working part-time as a kindergarten teacher at First Baptist Church in Jena. She later worked full-time for about 20 years as a Registered Dietitian, first at Central Louisiana State Hospital in Pineville, LA, then at LaSalle General Hospital in Jena. Jo was a mentor to many women she worked with.

After retirement, Jo enjoyed travelling and helping Clay tend their gardens. She was an excellent cook and seamstress. She taught Sunday School and volunteered in the community. She served on the Executive Board of the Louisiana Baptist Convention, the board of the Central Louisiana Regional Mental Health Clinic, and on numerous committees at First Baptist Church, Jena.  Jo and Clay moved to Arkadelphia, AR, in their last few years to live near their daughter.  Jo enjoyed making many new friends in Arkadelphia at First Baptist Church, at Silver Sneakers, and at The Plaza Assisted Living Facility. Her family is grateful for the excellent care in her final months from the staff at Courtyard Gardens and Arkansas Hospice and for the kind support from the Friendship Sunday School Class of First Baptist Church, Arkadelphia.

Jo was predeceased by her parents; her husband, Clay White; her daughter-in-law, Carla White; and her brother, James Colvin. She is survived by her four children: Gary White of Sallisaw, OK; Paul (Katie) White of Bakersfield, CA; Alan (Robyn) White of Prescott, AZ; and Sue (Stan) Poole of Arkadelphia, AR.  She was also a loving grandmother to Jesse White of Uvalde, TX; Tonya (Bo) Moreland of Kansas City, KS; Anna Grace (Reece) Franklin of Richardson, TX; and Caroline (David) Winkler of Waco, TX.  She was so proud of her great-grandchildren, River Moreland and Harris Winkler.  Jo is also survived by her brother, Royce Colvin (LaNette), of Ruston, LA, and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, March 27, with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church, Jena, followed by the service at 11:00 a.m., Bro. Terry Townsend will officiate. Burial will follow at Palo Alto Cemetery, Mayna, LA.  Friends living in Arkadelphia are invited to gather and remember her at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 1, in the dining room at The Plaza Assisted Living Facility, 3007 Twin Rivers Drive, Arkadelphia, AR.