Lois Jean White

LOIS JEAN SOVINE WHITE, 90, died at home in Huntington, WV on February 3, 2025, following a 40-year struggle with congestive heart failure. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother and friend, and is remembered for her genuine kindness, loving spirit, and gracious hospitality.
Born November 9, 1934 in Hurricane, WV to Howard Taft Sovine and Thelma Mae Smith, Lois was the third daughter and one of eight siblings: Marion S. Howell Cottrell, Carol S. Rowsey, Bruce Lynn Sovine (infant mortality), Riley S. Sovine, Paul D. Wise, Jr, Douglas S. Wise, and Timothy D. Wise. The family circle has now come to full closure.
A proud honor graduate of the 1952 Class of Hurricane High School, Lois launched her career three days after graduation, first working for C&P Telephone Company in Charleston and Huntington for a combined 17 years, and then with the West Virginia Department of Highways District 2 for 23 years. Memorable assignments with the DOH included restoring road access following the 1972 Buffalo Creek Disaster; and the 1985 erection of the East Huntington Bridge at 31st Street over the Ohio River. She retired in 1992.
In 1978, Lois married the love of her life, the late Everett C. "Jim" White. They built an active life together spanning 39 years before Jim's passing eight years ago. After retirement, Jim and Lois enjoyed 22 winters at Surfside Beach, South Carolina. Every Spring they returned to Huntington to live among their adult children, grandchildren, extended family, church family, and longtime friends. Marshall sports, dominoes, pinochle, camping, and Sunday family dinners rounded out their retirement years.
At different times throughout her life, Lois enjoyed sewing, needlepoint, playing piano, traveling, working crossword puzzles, bowling and reading. One of her greatest joys was cheering on the Los Angeles Dodgers. She first discovered the excitement of baseball as a teenager, and continued to follow her favorite team for more than 75 years, including their most recent World Series Championship last October.
Lois accepted Christ early in life. Depending on where she lived at the time, she served in assorted ministries and administrative tasks with Forrest Burdette Memorial, Milton, Highlawn, Surfside Beach, and Community of Grace United Methodist Churches.
Family and unity were values Lois held especially dear, and kindness toward others was her hallmark. Left to remember her sweet spirit are daughter, Jennifer Leigh Ball, and son, Jeffrey Hunt Ball; bonus sons and their families, Hal (Carol), Glenn (Lisa), and Todd (Kellie) White, all of Huntington; grandchildren: Matthew (Katrina), Allison (Scott Keffer), Chris, Tim (Berenice), Charles, and James White; and seven great-grandchildren: Logan, Matti, Cash, Coen, Josie, Lillian, and Nora.
She is also survived by sisters-in-law, Betty White of Huntington; Jane Wise of Colorado Springs, CO; and Marcia Sovine of Independence, KS; as well as a host of cousins, nephews and nieces.
A Celebration honoring Lois' life is Saturday, April 26 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Community of Grace United Methodist Church, corner of 3rd Ave and 28th Street in Huntington, with Reverend Donna Hinkle officiating a Death and Resurrection service at 3 p.m. in the sanctuary.
Those wishing to honor Lois' memory may make a contribution to Community of Grace United Methodist Church, www.communityofgraceumc.com; or Little Victories Animal Rescue, www.littlevictories.org.
Chapman's Mortuary & Crematory is assisting the family.