Margaret Marie White
Margaret Marie White, 79, of Soddy Daisy, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, September 7, 2023.
She was born in Detroit, Mi., on Jan. 17, 1944, to Luther E. and Anna Margaret White. She was the middle child of three siblings, with an older sister, Barbara Ann (my mom) and younger brother, Kerry Allen. After graduating from Pontiac Northern High School, Margaret went on to attend and graduate from the Henry Ford School of Nursing in Detroit in 1965. The whole family moved to Chattanooga, in the early 1970s and Margaret began her 40+ year position as a Level 2 Neonatal Nurse at Tri-County Hospital (Hutcheson Medical Center). Being a nurse was the formal expression of who she was - a caregiver.
Twice married and twice divorced with no children of her own, she once said she wasn't inclined to have to take care of a husband. She preferred her babies, nieces and nephews. Margaret was fun and feisty, always ready for an adventure. She was generous and kind, with a knack for mischief. Her faith was unwavering and the center of her life.
When she wasn't working taking care of the newborns, she was taking care of her nieces and nephew. As the cousins grew up, married and had their own kids, Margaret was there. She cared for her parents as they became unable to care for themselves. She took care of everyone, no matter how young or how old.
That was the thing about my Aunt Margaret - if you knew her, you were hers too. If you were her friend, you were her family. My friends and their kids - she was your Aunt Margaret too. If you were born at Tri-County/Hutcheson between 1972-ish and 2015-ish - know that you were hers too. If you knew my Aunt Margaret, know that she covered you in prayers for happiness, health and love. Know that she prayed God's favor over your life.
I had the privilege of being Margaret's niece for 50 years. In all it's cruelty, Alzheimer's Disease created a shift in our roles. It was my turn to take care of my Aunt Margaret. I don't have half the skill or talent for that as she did and I wasn't anywhere close to being alone in my new role. My husband and kids stepped into caregiver mode as naturally as anyone could. Thankfully we all had the privilege of her example. Thankfully we had resources and support of so many to navigate the challenges of Alzheimer's as smoothly as possible. Of course if you have any experience with Alzheimer's Disease you know nothing is actually smooth.
Alzheimer's did manage to steal her mind over time, but she never stopped asking if we needed anything. At the very end when her heart was giving out, no idea where she was or who we were, she thanked us for taking care of her and asked if she could do anything for us. Margaret Marie White was born to be a caregiver. And she did just that up until the end.
Margaret Marie White was preceded in death by her parents Luther E. and Anna Margaret (Garland) White, her brother Kerry Allen White.
She is survived by her sister, Barbara White of Clermont, Fl., sister-in-law, Diane White of East Ridge, nephew, Gerry White, niece, Sherry White Williams, nephew-in-law and niece, Darrell and Melissa (White) Meece, great-nephew, Holden Meece, great-nieces, Liz Williams, Riley Williams and Mary Hadley Meece.
Arrangements are by the Cremation Center of Chattanooga, 1345 Hickory Valley Road, Chattanooga, Tn. 37421.