Evangeline R. White

Mary Evangeline "Van" White departed this earthly realm to be with our Lord in His Kingdom on February 3, 2025, with her husband, Dick, and longtime family friends Linda and Lee Myers at her side. Devoted wife, mother, grandmother, friend, and servant, Van used her gifts and talents in service to others as well as in worship.
Van was born Mary Evangeline Raver in 1928 in Pataskala, Ohio to Byron and Florence Raver. She and her husband Dick met at a church social close to 80 years ago and were married 1950 in Pataskala. They celebrated their 74th wedding anniversary this past August. In 1961 Dick and Van pulled up roots with their two daughters, Emily and Susie, and moved to Houston, Texas. They made a home in southwest Houston until moving to Clarewood House in 2015. She enjoyed playing games such as Mahjong, cards, and Rummikub. You always knew where she and Dick were at 6:30pm, watching Wheel of Fortune, her favorite TV gameshow.
Music was a huge part of Van's worship life. She began piano lessons at an early age and soon after organ lessons. At the age of 13 she held her first church organist position. All through high school she was active singing in choirs, accompanying choruses, playing the cornet in the band, and even playing with a swing band. Some of her fondest early memories are of her family gathering around the piano on Sunday afternoons to sing gospel hymns. Van played in churches in her home state of Ohio until she moved to Houston with her family in 1961. She played organ for St. George's Church until 1978 followed by St. Matthew's Church and St. Stephen's Church. Susie has fond memories of sitting beside her mother on the organ bench while she played. In 1984 Van and Dick joined Trinity Church and soon began participating in the choir. She also played the organ on occasion. While with the Trinity Choir she and Dick traveled to England several times. She once shared that making friends through musical ventures and the joyful times of raising voices to praise the Lord through excellent music and favorite hymns as the highlights of her church music career.
It's hard to imagine Van had time for an "other life" but she did and did so with passion and dedication. She received her B.S Degree in Speech & Hearing Therapy from Ohio State University and was also trained in oral education. Her teaching career begin immediately after graduation and in 1968 started teaching at the Houston School for Deaf Children (now The Center for Hearing and Speech (The Center)). During her time at The Center, she played many roles including teacher, parent-infant advisor, mainstream specialist and speech-language pathologist. In addition to teaching, Van spent over 25 years volunteering for The Center for the Retarded and Reach Unlimited. After retiring from The Center in 2007 she worked with Parkinson's patients via Houston Area Parkinson Society and facilitated a weekly adult workshop.
Van's eldest daughter Emily was born both mentally and physically challenged. Van always felt that this life experience had a profound effect on her and her whole family. She said it was something that taught her patience, gentleness and empathy, perhaps helping her be a little more understanding, and more willing to try something just one more time with her students.
"I think of life as a tapestry," Van said. "My life has been greatly enriched by the music of the Church, and all those I've known. And I never could have done it all without Dick's help and support."
She leaves behind to cherish her memory her beloved husband of 74 years, Richard "Dick" White, her daughter Emily, daughter Susie Cole and son-in-law Richard, grandson Shane Cole and wife Heather, and countless others who held her dear as she did them.
A celebration of life memorial service for Van will be held in the chapel at Clarewood House (7400 Clarewood Drive, Houston, TX 77036) at 2 o'clock pm on Monday, February 17, 2025. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Reach Unlimited at https://reachunlimited.networkforgood.com/projects/120383-operating-funds