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BORN
1935
DIED
2016
Nera White Obituary
The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame issued a statement Thursday confirming White's death. Officials at Alexander Funeral Home in Lafayette, Tennessee, said Thursday that White died Wednesday at Sumner Regional Medical Center in Gallatin, Tennessee.
White was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1992.
John L. Doleva, president and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame, said in a statement, "Nera White was a true pioneer and trailblazer of the women's game. Her skill and athleticism was undoubtedly ahead of her time, and she paved the way for the generations of tremendous female athletes that have followed in her footsteps."
White was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1992 and was inducted into the first class of the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 1999. She is considered by experts to be one of the greatest woman basketball players in history.
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White played well before the formation of the WNBA. She played in the AAU and was named an AAU All-American fifteen years in a row. She led her Nashville Business College team to ten National Championships. In 1957, White led the USA to victory in the World Championships where they defeated the USSR 51-48. White was named the MVP of the tournament.
White was also a world class softball player. She was All-World in 1959 and 1965 for the ASA fast pitch softball team.
50 Entries
April 22, 2020
My condolences to the family. I appreciate the efforts for women basketball. I love basketball, even through I never played professionally. I have followed it, since age 13 years. May the God of Comfort, continue to comfort the family.
Gale B
May 6, 2016
"Dear family: During this difficult moments you are dealing with, our hearts goes out to you and our heartfelt sympathy for your loss."
Barbara Dickerson
April 28, 2016
I had the honor of knowing Nera in 1961 at Nashville Business College. She was a most humble person and the best basketball player that I have ever seen play. God bless the family. I know she will be sorely missed.
How you can show support
Raine Rossmeyer
April 19, 2016
God bless you Nera White. I wish I could have seen you play basketball or softball. I have read that you were the very best! My sincere condolences to the family.
April 19, 2016
God Bless you Nera White. I would have given anything to have had the honor to see you play basketball and softball. I have read what a great athlete you were. Way ahead of your time. Thank-you for all that you gave...and for the wonderful life that you lived.......
Raine Rossmeyer
Round Rock, Texas
Ross
April 19, 2016
The sports world has lost another great player.Our condolences to the family,friends,colleagues and fans. Draw close to God and he will strengthen you in the difficult days ahead.
MLC
April 19, 2016
My sincere condolences to the White family and to say that the God of tender mercy is aware of your loss to help you to endure.
Dot Drummond
April 19, 2016
I was privileged to watch Nera play basketball on a number of occasions in the 1960s. Never have seen a better player before nor since then. She was simply the best! My heartfelt sympathy to her family and friends as you grieve this loss and as you remember Nera for the person and the superstar she was
L, T.
April 18, 2016
So sorry for your loss during this difficult timewe can get peace and comfort knowing what Joh 5:28 29 says
Pat J
April 18, 2016
My condolences to the White family and friends.
Bobbie
April 18, 2016
My deepest sympathy to the family of Nera White. May the love she showed and the quality time that you shared with her bring a smile to your faces during this time of great sadness. Try to focus on the blessings. Ms. White is now in the deep sleep of death free of all pain and sorrow. In loving memory of a legend!
April 18, 2016
My condolences to the family during this difficult time.
STEVEN
April 17, 2016
She was a remarkable woman and mother.A trailblazer long before the WNBA.she was loved by many.what a legacy she leaves. God Bless! Praying for her family. Rest In Peace beautiful lady.
Courtney Yates
April 17, 2016
I remember playing softball against Nera when I was 26 and she was 54. We were totally in awe. To watch her easily hit the ball over the fence was amazing. I am blessed to have known such an amazing trailblazer.
Joan Crawford
April 17, 2016
RIP my dear friend Nera. We got many memories from being team-mates for 12 yrs. & working together. Thank you for being a great friend, I will miss you. Love you my friend. Prayers for the family.
April 17, 2016
Thank you for being a pioneer for women's basketball. You will be missed.
Melissa Fisher
April 16, 2016
Nera was my great Aunt. After reading all these wonderful things people have written, I feel honored to have known her. She was an amazing athlete and person, and an inspiration to all. RIP Nera
Nancy Startup
April 16, 2016
We will remember Nera as a great lady with a kind and gentle spirit. Not only was she an inspiration to us, but also to many females who played sports. RIP, Nera.
McGavock High School Girls Basketball Team Class of 1974
Nancy Hancock Startup
Sheila Mullins Long
Suzanne Sanders
Jan Smith Goss
Drue Wortham Johnson
Carolyn
April 16, 2016
In memory of a very special lady, may family and friends hearts be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as, you celebrate a life well lived. May Nera rest in peace in the God of comfort and peace memory.
April 16, 2016
My prayers are with you and your family.
Sharard Walker
April 16, 2016
We are deeply sorry for loss Ms.White sounds like an amazing women. 1 Corinthians 15.21
April 16, 2016
I am sorry for the loss of your loved one. May God comfort you during this time.
mary holmes
April 16, 2016
My condolences this is a difficult time, it natural to grieve when you loose a loved one, may you find comfort from the inspired record of our heavenly father`s word that is written down for distressing times, instruction, comfort, hope and endurance, there you will find God`s promise for a new system of things arrangements made possible by means of his first creation, Jesus Christ`s ransom sacrifice for a sure and secure future, he is creating all things new and the former things will not be called to mind, Nor will they come up into the heart Isaiah 65:17-25;. Throw all your anxieties upon the the true God of heaven and earth and he will sustain you. May you draw strength and courage that is granted from these promises.
April 16, 2016
White family and friends, I am deeply sorry for your loss. I hope the words will bring you all some comfort in this diffcult time.
April 16, 2016
To be a pioneer in women's basketball is truly a legacy worth remembering. While sports fans remember her athleticism, no doubt the family remembers the woman.
May our Heavenly Father provide comfort to your hearts the way that He always does.
April 16, 2016
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Carolyn Lawrence
April 16, 2016
To the family: I offer my thoughts and prayers during this dark time in your life. My sincere condolences.
April 16, 2016
Sorry for your loss. May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times spent together have with Nera. Draw close to God and he will draw close to you.
Kenna Allan
April 15, 2016
What memories - the WaylandNBC games but you were always unstoppable. Then to have the honor of playing softball with you - how you protected this young country girl & taught me so much. Always humble. Your pain & suffering are now over - certainly deserved. Thank you Nera. RIP.
Dwayne Bickham,Sr.
April 15, 2016
In God's care, rest in peace.
April 15, 2016
I always loved Nera, taught me so much about softball, used to play fastpitch softball with her, loved it when she got mad at the umpires about a bad call. So many memories, Nera RIP Lynn Jo Reed
Brandy White
April 15, 2016
Thank you to everyone for the kind words, prayers and thoughts for our family. We are thankful for the tremendous support offered to us, to the media outlets who have shared this information so eloquently and to our Mom, Nera for the wonderful devotion she demonstrated in every aspect of her life! Thank you ALL!!!
Harry Simpson
April 15, 2016
Thank you for sharing a part of your life with us.
Joan T
April 15, 2016
My heartfelt sympathy for a wonderful woman to the White family relatives. I hope you will find comfort in God's promise at John 11:24,24
April 15, 2016
Beloveds, I am truly saddened to hear about Nera White's passing. Her fine legacy will truly be remembered. I hope to meet her in Paradise . . .
-Luke23:43
Linda Hutcheson
April 15, 2016
I had the privilege of playing with Nera at NBC. She was and still is in my mind the greatest BB player to ever lace up shoes. 1964/65
April 15, 2016
May you find peace and comfort in knowing sickness, pain and death will one day be gone for this has been promised.
Scott Chamberland
April 15, 2016
Rest in Peace
April 15, 2016
My sympathies to all.. May your precious memories and strength from the God of all comfort help you through this difficult time.
Rick
April 15, 2016
To the WHITE FAMILY in their time of grief, please find comfort in knowing that "while you throw all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you."
April 15, 2016
My Condolences to the family,
Comforting thoughts and memories to your hearts.
"And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.
Elizabeth
April 15, 2016
I never had the opportunity to meet her, but throughout her lifetime and games, Mrs. White showed that she was an outstanding, supported woman in sports...she never gave up, and always gave 100% of herself...I'm expressing my sincere condolences to her family and friends for the loss of her dear, beloved one...May our loving God grant you the strength and comfort to endure your loss - for He understands what you are going through... And may the great loving memories that Mrs. White enjoyed with her loved ones, be always cherished...
RDR
April 15, 2016
What an amazing person!
Please accept my sincere condolences to the White family and friends
From my family to yours
Adrian Barnette
April 14, 2016
We'll miss you !
teresa hudgens
April 14, 2016
Rest in peace.
Katie Gunter
April 14, 2016
My condolences for your loss. May you find comfort in the words recorded at
Matthew 11:28 "Come to me, all you who are toiling and loaded down, and I will refresh you".
April 14, 2016
My condolences on your loss and may God's promises of life again on paradise earth bring you comfort and hope ( Matthew 11 : 25 ).
Louise Maloy
April 14, 2016
What a wonderful lady. God speed.
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