Helen Ruth Caldwell White (Physical Education Teacher at RHHS)
1931 - 2011
ROCK HILL – Helen Ruth Caldwell White, 80, passed away Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2011, at her home.The funeral service will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 3, at New Mount Olivet AME Zion Church, with her sons-in-law, the Rev. Dr. Clifford Barnett and the Rev. Dr. Dwayne Brown officiating. Burial will be at Grandview Memorial Park on Cherry Road.
Born in Rock Hill, Mrs. White was the daughter of the late Morris Hazel Caldwell and the late Lizzie Cousar Caldwell. She was married to the Rev. Walter Banks White for 57 years Helen was educated in the schools of Rock Hill, earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from South Carolina State University in Orangeburg and did further studies at the University of South Carolina andWinthrop University. She taught at several public school districts in the state, including Berkley, Chester and York counties. She taught biology and served as the girls basketball coach at the former Jefferson High School in York; the former Finley High School in Chester; and the former Emmett Scott High School in Rock Hill. She then taught physical education at Rock Hill High School and later taught special needs children at the former Edgewood Center in Rock Hill. She retired in 1987 after 34 years of service.
Helen was a former member of the New Mount Olivet African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church in Rock Hill. After her husband entered the ministry, she was involved in many organizations and ministries in the churches he pastored. She sang in the choirs, organized and led Vacation Bible schools and Bible retreats and wrote poems and plays that were performed during church services and dinner theaters. She was co-founder of the Christian After School Training (CAST) program at Flint Hill Baptist Church in Rock Hill. At the time of her death, she was attending Cross Road Baptist Church in Rock Hill.
Helen was a charter member of the Eta Alpha Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. She was a Golden Soror, a member for more than 50 years. Her survivors include her husband, Rev. Walter Banks White; two daughters, Waltrina White Barnett (Clifford) of Wilmington, N.C., and Banita White Brown (Dwayne) of Rock Hill; seven grandchildren, Clifford Donald Jr., Walter Clarence and Helen Eileen Barnett, all of Wilmington, N.C., and Dwayne Christian Jr., Kristen Amelia, Anita Helene and Nathaniel Elliott Brown, all of Rock Hill; two sisters-in-law, Hester White Collins (Harry) and Dotti White Caldwell; and several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
The family will receive friends from 6:30-8 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 2, at Greene Funeral Home Northwest Chapel, 2133 Ebenezer Road, Rock Hill, SC 29732. A ceremony will be performed by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority at 6 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to establish the Helen Caldwell White Scholarship Fund. Please mail your gift to 646 Southwinds Court, Rock Hill, SC 29730.
Courtesy of Foster Funeral Home.