Mr.Delbert Lee White, Jr.

Delbert Lee White, Jr, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, nephew and uncle who touched many family and friends on his life journey with his welcoming spirit, wit and sense of humor, died on Palm Sunday, April 10, 2022, in Leesburg, Virginia. He was 66 years old.

On January 24, 1956, Delbert was born at Queen of the World Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri. Although he would become the namesake of his father, his given name was replaced by his hospital attending nurse for her astute observation of him being “cute as a button” resulting in him being affectionally known as “Buttons” by generations of family ever since.

Delbert was raised in the Roman Catholic Church and received the rites of the Holy Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist in his infancy and during childhood. He served as an Alter Boy throughout his adolescent years for both Immaculate Heart of Mary and Saint Louis parishes in Kansas City, Missouri. Delbert received his primary and secondary education in parochial schools and spent his freshman year at De La Salle Catholic High School for Boys and after its closure, he transferred to Bishop Hogan Catholic High School where he was Junior and Senior class president and a three-year letterman in football.

An exceptionally bright young man, Delbert received an academic scholarship to the prestigious Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. While also working as a Residential Assistant (RA), he completed a rigorous course of study and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance with a minor in Economics with honors in 1978.

As a new Ivy League graduate, he relocated to the epicenter of Finance in the United States, Manhattan, New York to work for Citicorp, and was eventually recruited by the Bank of Montreal to be a Junior Vice President.  He also worked as a Stockbroker for Bear Stearns. After working much of his career on Wall Street, he eventually moved to Edenton, North Carolina following his passion for great food and curated ambiances where he co-owned Creekside, a quaint restaurant which grew to be a community gem. In his later life, he worked in a variety of leadership roles in the retail food industry in New Orleans, Louisiana, Jackson, Mississippi, and Private Education in the District of Columbia/Maryland/Virginia (DMV) area before retiring to enjoy his favorite past time—his grandson Jayden.

Delbert was a brilliant-minded lifelong learner and relentless reader who would energetically engage in conversation of any topic. He was well-versed in the history of a broad range of genres and events, literature, music, sports, political science, international affairs and he loved to share his endless pipeline of little-known facts. His ability to recall every Star Wars scene and character from the Franchise as an avid Star Wars fan since the first film release—was unmatched. Delbert loved to laugh and lean into the sunny side of this life.

Delbert is survived by his parents Delbert Lee White, Sr. of Kansas City, MO and Mae Nicholson Birks of Dallas, TX; his wife Pamela Allen White of Sterling, Virginia; daughters MacKenzie Tracey White of Denver, CO and Courtney White Miller, his grandson Jayden Miller of Washington, DC; sisters Sharon Moten and her husband Darren Moten of Chattanooga, TN, Jenell Clark of Dallas, TX; nephew Roderick Clark, Jr.(Alexis), nieces Brittanee Williams (Jeff), Elise Brown, Lea Brown; a great-nephew Emory Williams and great-niece Zara Clark.

At the “end of the day”, I remember “good” is the “enemy” of “great”. | Lead by remembering we need to always do the "right things" well. | The message we should challenge the "next generation" with is simply, "What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?"—Delbert Lee White, Jr.

Thoughtful care and services provided by E. S. Eley & Sons Funeral Chapel, Inc.