Jere White Jr.

Family-Placed Death Notice

WHITE, Jere, Jr. JERE FIELD WHITE, JR. Jere Field White, Jr., died on October 3, 2011 at the age of 56. Born and raised in Cartersville, Georgia, he graduated from Cartersville High School in 1973 and obtained his Bachelor of Business Administration, cum laude, from the University of Georgia in 1977, where he was also President of Kappa Alpha Order. He received his J.D. from Cumberland School of Law, Samford University, in 1980, cum laude. Jere was admitted to the Alabama and Georgia Bar Associations in 1980. After beginning his law career with Bradley Arant Boult Cummings, LLC, in 1980, Jere was one of the founding members of Lightfoot, Franklin & White, LLC, in 1990. He handled significant civil litigation of all types throughout the country and was consistently listed as one of the state's top trial lawyers in virtually every peer-reviewed publication. He was one of the few lawyers in Alabama inducted into the American College of Trial Lawyers, the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, and the American Board of Trial Advocates. Jere loved trying cases, and he tried over 100 complex civil cases to a verdict. An Elder at Independent Presbyterian Church, Jere also was a former member of the Board of Trustees of Hampden-Sydney College, a member of the Board of Advisors of Cumberland School of Law, a former Board member of the Downtown YMCA, and a member of Mountain Brook Club, Highlands Country Club and The Redstone Club. Jere is predeceased by his father Judge Jere Field White. He is survived by his wife Lyda Shaw White and children, Jere Bennett White (Catherine), Davis Cochrane White, and Mimi White Nolen (Shep); two grandchildren, Harrison Field White and Davis Ambrose White; mother Laura Cochrane White; sisters Laura White Greer (Charlie) and Janet Collier White (Merrill); father-in-law Julius Clarence Shaw; mother-in-law Margaretta Lumpkin Shaw; brothers-in-law Julius Clarence Shaw, Jr. (Wendy) and Robert Lee Shaw (Sheila); sister-in-law Rebecca Shaw Shepherd (Clyde); and numerous nieces and nephews. Jere was a leader, a visionary, and a model of strength and grace to the end. He was sustained by his faith throughout his difficult battle with cancer, and he in turn sustained his family and friends. Jere was beloved; he had a large and loving circle of friends whom he treasured and who will never forget his engaging personality, welcoming spirit and humor. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He will be missed by all. Jere's family will be forever grateful for the overwhelming outpouring of love and support provided by friends, his professional colleagues, and his healthcare providers, especially Dr. James E. Cantrell and Dr. Susan Salter Hydinger. A visitation will be held at Independent Presbyterian Church on Wednesday, October 5, 2011, at 10:00 a.m., with a memorial celebration to follow at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Independent Presbyterian Church, 3100 Highland Avenue, Birmingham, Alabama 35205 or Cumberland School of Law - Jere F. White, Jr., Fellows Program, 800 Lakeshore Drive, Birmingham, Alabama 35229.