Dr. Charles Wesley White Sr.

Charles W. White, Sr., MD, 87, passed away peacefully on May 11, 2025, at Henderson County
Community Hospital in Lexington, Tennessee. Born in 1937 in Philadelphia, Mississippi, to
Clarence "Skeeter" White and Maree Webb White, Dr. White dedicated his life to the service of
others through a distinguished medical career, leaving an indelible mark on his community.
Dr. White left Brinkley, AR to attend Memphis State University and finished his degree in 3 ½
years. While that might seem to be quite an accomplishment, the most lasting memory of his
time at Memphis State was meeting and marrying the love of his life, Joyce Canode.
Following his years at Memphis State, Dr. White pursued his passion for medicine with
unwavering commitment, earning his medical degree from the University of Tennessee College
of Medicine in 1962. He finished a rotating internship at Methodist Hospital in 1963 and then
served for two years as a physician in the US Air Force. He relocated with his family to
Lexington,Tennessee in 1965 and opened a private practice. He continued to serve as a
physician to the people of Henderson County for 53 years until his retirement in 2018. Known
for his diagnostic acumen and fierce dedication to his patients, Dr. White treated generations of
families, forming deep, lifelong bonds with his patients. He was a founding member of Family
Physicians of Lexington, where he played a pivotal role in expanding access to quality
healthcare in rural western Tennessee.
In addition to his private practice, Dr. White served as Chief of Staff at Henderson County
Community Hospital during multiple years where he championed improvements in patient care
and hospital services. His leadership extended to mentoring young physicians in his practice
and also as a faculty member of the University of Tennessee Family Practice residency program
in Jackson, TN. Many of them, including his eldest son and son-in-law, credit him with shaping
their careers. Dr. White was also an active member of several organized medical societies,
advocating for advancements in rural healthcare and medical education.
He was a rotarian in the Lexington Rotary Club for more than 50 years, serving as president,
chair of the Rotarian of the year committee and assistant district governor. He served on
multiple committees at First Baptist Church of Lexington, including trustee for over 40 years. He
participated in several overseas medical mission trips including Bolivia, Peru, Haiti, Dominican
Republic and Guatemala. He served on the Henderson County school board from 1968-1976,
acting as chairman for two of those years. He was a member of the Board of Directors of the
Beech River Watershed Development Authority. He was a longtime member of the Tennessee
Academy of Family Physicians (TAFP), American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP),
Tennessee Medical Association (TMA) and American Medical Association (AMA). He held
multiple leadership positions in these organizations, serving as president of both the TAFP and
TMA. The Governor of the State of Tennessee appointed Dr. White to four terms on the Board
of Medical Examiners where he was responsible for the licensing of physicians in the state.
Beyond his professional achievements, Dr. White was a devoted family man. Pop was
especially devoted to his children and grandchildren and extremely proud of their
accomplishments. He loved to duck hunt, play golf and travel with Joyce and his family. A pillar
of his community, he was admired for his compassion, determination, integrity and dedication.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years Joyce White; his brother, Webb White (Vicky), sister, Jan
Haney (Jim); his children, Charles W. White, Jr. (Pattie), David White (Jami), Dana White
Ellington (Stan), and Ann Maree White Coleman (Keel); his eight grandchildren, Charles William
White, Jacob David White, Wesley James White, Tucker Kidd White, Alexandra Nicole Ellington,
Nathan Stanley Ellington (Elizabeth), Collin James Ellington, and Ashe Tilda Coleman; and one
great-grandson, Baylor Alan Ellington.
Visitation will be on Wednesday, May 14 from 4 to 8pm and on Thursday, May 15 from Noon
until the service starts at 2pm. Visitation and service will be held at First Baptist Church in
Lexington. Burial will follow in Lexington Cemetery with military honors. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the First Baptist Church
of Lexington, TN or St Jude Children's Research Hospital.
His family thanks the many caregivers who helped make his last years joyful and comfortable.
Rest in peace, Doc. You are a true healer whose legacy of care and compassion will endure.