of West Memphis, AR

August 21, 1942 - September 5, 2023

Catherine Rhodora Azlin White went to her heavenly home on September 5th, 2023. She was born on August 21st, 1942 in Memphis, Tennessee. She was preceded in death by her beloved son, William David White II; her parents, Dalton and Ann Azlin and her brother, Timothy Azlin. Left to grieve her passing and celebrate her life are her husband, William David White of West Memphis, Arkansas, to whom she was married for 50 years; her daughter, Angela Renee Merideth of Memphis, TN; her son, Stephen Craig Merideth and wife, Jennifer of West Memphis; her granddaughters, LeeAnn Rhodora Merideth and MaryAnna Catherine Merideth both of West Memphis and her sisters, Bettye Pitner and husband, David of Siloam Springs, AR and Lucy Azlin of Alexandria, LA.

Catherine attended Cummings Elementary and graduated from South Side High School in 1960. While in high school, she was feature editor of the newspaper, a student council officer, football queen finalist and voted "Prettiest Girl" in the senior class. She attended MSCW on scholarships and finished her B.S. degree in English and Sociology at the University of Memphis. She later earned a Masters degree in English and Counseling.

Her teaching career started at Westwood, continuing at Mitchell and Melrose. She then became a guidance counselor at Crawfordsville and Marion Jr. High School which culminated with her retirement after 43 years. During her teaching career, she was awarded with the prestigious "Master Teacher award, level 3".

In 1989, the White family suffered a tragic and heartbreaking blow when their 15 year old son, David II, was killed by a drunk driver. There followed years of anguished grief. Catherine ended up joining Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). She embarked on an avid journey of volunteering. During these years of volunteering, she gave dozens of presentations to high school and college audiences in addition to speaking before audiences of drunk drivers. For 3 years she served as President of MADD-Shelby County and for 3 years as Chairperson of MADD Tennessee. She was a recipient of the "Difference Maker" award for her devotion to MADD. In 1998 she served as National Chairperson of the International Candlelight Vigil held at the Peabody Hotel. Over 600 delegates from across the US, Puerto Rico and Guam attended this unforgettable vigil. The Whites established a scholarship fund to perpetuate David's memory and to reward students who qualified for this scholarship. Students had to write an essay with the title "The Tragedy of Drunk Driving" and pledged not to ever drive if they had been drinking. Over the next 30 years, 150 scholarships were awarded.

During her years of profound grief, a friend asked Catherine "When will you ever get over your debilitating sorrow?". She thought several days on this question and wrote her reply in this poem titled "The Day My Heart Will Mend":



There's an empty chair at our table; there's a longing deep in my heart;
For I had no prior warning that my son was about to depart.
Yes, I loved him to distraction when I had him with me here;
Now all the precious memories of him I hold so very dear.
There's a sorrow that surrounds me and will not let me go;
Gripped tight in a vise of unending pain, time has become my foe.
Each day is a constant battle to find meaning in this life;
Will there ever come a time, I ask, when there'll be no internal strife?
I've trudged that lonely highway paved with miles and miles of grief.
The clouds have overshadowed me, blocking out the hoped-for relief.
But there's a promise that's sustained me in my darkest hour of sorrows
Made by the divine ONE up above to give hope for our bleakest tomorrows,
That there'll be no tears in heaven-no more sorrow, no more pain,
No more worries and no elusive peace I'll still be struggling to gain.
There will be a day of rejoicing when I see him around that bend;
When I hold him in my arms once more, my heart will finally mend.

Obituary Provided By:
Roller-Citizens Funeral Home
201 North Pine Street
West Memphis, AR  72303
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com