Thelma A. White

PIEDMONT, S.C. — Thelma Alfretta Hoovler White, 98, passed away June 5, 2020 at McCall Hospice House in Simpsonville, South Carolina.
She was born in the Pleasantville community in northwestern Pennsylvania Feb. 19, 1922, daughter of Floyd and Olive Hoovler.
She married George Quinton White and moved to Phillipstown, Illinois during the 1940s. She earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Oakland City College, and later earned a master’s degree in theology. She became an elementary school teacher in Brownsville, Illinois and continued her career as an elementary teacher in Grayville, Illinois. During her retirement, she was an adult literacy volunteer and substitute teacher.
She had a passion for missionary work in Haiti and Belize. Through her support and mission work with Greater Union Church of Union, South Carolina, the Thelma White Mission was built. She was a charter member of the former Gospel Temple Pentecostal Church in Carmi, Illinois. She also attended the Carmi Church of God. She later became a member of Salem Baptist Church in Anderson, South Carolina.
Thelma loved traveling across the country with her family, especially when she was flying. Thelma and her husband were both licensed pilots and members of the Carmi Airport flying club. She was also a member of Royal Neighbors and The Business and Professional Women’s Club.
Survivors include daughter Georgianna (Leland) Cutter; son-in-law, Andrew Holtzclaw; four grandchildren, Andrea Lynn (Stan) Howe, Jerry (Cheryl) Holtzclaw, Sharon “Kay” Stinson, and Shawna (Alex) Atiles; 11 great-grandchildren, Robert “Drew” Howe, Nick (Megan) Hanna, Austin Holtzclaw, Emily Holtzclaw, Reo Stinson, Asa Stinson, Brooke (Kirk) Chastain, Gregory Hall, Bryant Hall, Bishop Gonzales, and Andrea Atiles; four great-great grandchildren, Jameson Hanna, Axel Stinson, Calvin Chastain, and Elijah Hansen; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, firstborn daughter Lorna Holtzclaw, brother Marion Hoovler, and sisters Joyce Questell, Evaline “Faye” Prather and Carol Sterling.
A celebration of her life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 27, at Salem Baptist Church in Anderson, S.C. A family graveside memorial will follow at 1 p.m. at First Baptist Memorial Park in Westminster, S.C. Sandifer Funeral Home of Westminster is assisting the family.
Memorial contributions may be made, in lieu of flowers, to Salem Baptist Church, 1325 Salem Church Road, Anderson SC 29625.
Condolences may be expressed online at www.sandiferfuneralhome.com.