Dr. Barbara L. White

Dr. Barbara “Barb” Lee Adams White 83, of Gulfport, MS passed away peacefully on April 17, 2020. Barbara was born in New Orleans on October 6, 1936, to Lee and Delaura Adams, and was the oldest of four children. She married Raymond L. White, Sr. of Gulfport (Turkey Creek) MS in 1954, divorcing 14 years later, and the marriage produced two sons, Ray, Jr, and Ron. Ray Jr. would say that when it came to her boys, she was a “momma bear”. Barbara attended school in Gulfport, graduating from 33rd Avenue High School in 1954, and was a member of the first class to march at the school. She continued her education, graduating from Austin Peay State College in 1964 as an undergraduate, and in 1968 with a Master's Degree in English. She received her Doctorate from Bowling Green State University in 1984. During her career, Barbara taught at several schools, including Hopkinsville High School, West Jr. High School, Gulfport High School, Jackson State University, and The University of Southern Mississippi. With her skill and her great passion for English and communication, she was often seen as tough but fair by her students, and she pushed them to excel. Barbara also served as Assistant Superintendent in the Jackson Public School District. She was seen as tough but fair by her students, and she pushed them to excel. Barbara had a great passion for English and communication and loved her work very much. She had a love of people and a genuine desire to see them achieve. Her brother, Gary Adams, Jr., remembers this about her: "My sister was driven to succeed, and she drove those that she loved and who was a part of her world to do the same. Whatever she was involved in, she approached with passion and a determination to achieve as much as possible, and she accepted nothing less from the rest of us." This determination led her to be a pioneer in many aspects of her life, including being the first black news anchor for WLOX-TV on the Gulf Coast. Barbara was an active member of The Little Rock Missionary Baptist Church, of Gulfport, MS most of her life. As a pianist, she was critical in the development of their inspirational choir. Dr. White was preceded in death by her parents and by her younger brother, Rev. Lee J. Adams, Jr. She is survived by two sons, Raymond “Ray” White, Jr and wife, Sophia of Wylie, TX, and Ronald “Ron” White and wife Wendy of Tucker, GA; by her sister Mrs. Vera Lane and husband Norman of Pearland, TX, and her brother, Gary Adams and wife Mariana of Niceville, FL; and by four grandchildren, and a host of great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, other loving relatives, and friends. She will live on in the hearts of those who knew her. Barbara, My Sister, My Best friend. This is just Goodbye for now. But Dr. White, I know I will be with you again one of these days, ~Your loving Sister, Vera Gennetta If we believe what we confess to believe, there is a reason to rejoice!!! Ma, you done good ~Ron