John Carlyn White

John Carlyn White, 88, of Kosciusko, Mississippi, passed away peacefully on January 24, 2026. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and faithful servant of God. John's legacy is one of deep faith, steadfast love for his family, hard work, and quiet strength.

Visitation will be held at Kosciusko First Baptist Church at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, January 29, 2026, with services to follow at 11:00 a.m. A family burial will follow at Parkway Cemetery.

Born on October 24, 1937, in Zama, Mississippi, to Mr. and Mrs. Bilbo C. White, John learned early the value of hard work, education, and commitment-principles that guided every season of his life. He lived with integrity, humility, and a strong sense of responsibility to God and family.

John graduated from Mississippi State University with an undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering and his Master's in Education Administration. His career spanned from the defense industry to the education arena. He was an administrator for Holmes Community College for many years and played an integral part in the building and opening of the Ridgeland branch of HCC.

John married the love of his life, Melba Burden White, in 1962. Together they built a home rooted in love, faith, and service to the Lord. As a father, he led by example-always consistent-teaching his children the importance of faith, perseverance, and doing what is right, even when no one was watching.

He leaves behind his beloved wife, Melba and his children, Deborah White Martin (David), Michelle White Nowell (Glennis), Mike White, and Jason White (Jolynn). They will forever treasure the wisdom, encouragement, discipline, and unconditional love of a father who prayed for them daily and took great pride not only in their accomplishments, but in their personal walk with the Lord.

John was especially grateful for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who brought him immense joy. He is survived by grandchildren Lindsey Claire Tomlinson (Jared), Will Martin (Cameron), Laura Cathryn Taylor (Ryan), Sam Martin (Hart), Lexie Caroline Brown, Linley White Wicker (Devon), Sara Burden White Hill (Latham), John "Clayton" White, John Hubbard White, Lauren Hope Nowell, and Carlyn White; and great-grandchildren Mae Elizabeth Martin, John "William" Martin, Luna James Taylor, and Henry Burgess Martin. He is also survived by his sister, Bettye Robinson and a brother, Rayborn White.

A lifelong Christian of the Baptist faith, John was an active member of Kosciusko First Baptist Church until his health no longer allowed. He faithfully served as a deacon and Sunday School teacher and had a deep love for the Gospel and for missions. That love carried him across this country serving on mission trips, helping to build churches and serving others. His children remember rarely missing church-"every time the doors were open"-and how he consistently gave thanks to the Lord for every blessing.

A true outdoorsman and farmer, John raised cotton, soybeans, corn, cattle, timber, and legendary vegetable gardens. He taught his children and grandchildren to love the land, respect hard work, and give back by caring for what God had provided. Some of his happiest moments were spent outdoors with his grandchildren, passing down lessons that required no words.

Those who knew John also knew his quiet humor. He was a gentle jokester and one of his family's most told legendary stories is when he and a couple of his college friends placed a skunk under the visitors' bench during the Kentucky vs. Mississippi State basketball game-an act that caused quite a stir and many lasting laughs.

John's life will be remembered as that of a godly man who loved Mississippi, his country, his family, and a good plate of fresh vegetables with cornbread.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Kosciusko First Baptist Church Acts 1:8 Missions Initiative.

As his family reflects on a life well lived, they hold close his favorite Scripture:

"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."

2 Chronicles 7:14