Josephine Rivers White

Josephine Elizabeth Rivers White, 90, was born on November 28, 1933, in Noble, Louisiana. She passed from this life at home after a lengthy illness on March 14, 2024.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Ramel White. Josephine is survived by her six children: Ramona Elizabeth and Janet Rae of Zwolle, LA, Ramel Brian of Hamburg, New Jersey, Jason Gregory of Shreveport, LA, James Chester of Birmingham, AL and Roxanne McDonough (Patrick) of Corpus Christi, TX. She has five grandchildren: Logan, Courtney, Cameron, Sidney and Peyton. She has one great-grandchild: Lucas Ramel White.

The day after graduation from Ebarb High School in 1952, she boarded a bus to Palm Beach, Florida where she enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. There she was a cryptographer and was able to travel widely as a catcher on the Air Force softball team. After her enlistment, she was employed at Bell South telephone company in Shreveport as a switchboard operator and later found her true calling in the accounting department. 

In 1957, she married her devoted husband, Ramel, and they enjoyed 54 years together. She always said that God gave her the perfect man. Josephine was well known for her fiery temper and was a fierce defender of her family. She could discipline her children with just a look. Josephine loved her large extended Rivers family deeply and always looked forward to family reunions and family gatherings. 

During her children’s school years, she volunteered many hours working at St. Joseph Catholic School and was active in St. Helen’s Council of Catholic Women.

She was a devout Catholic woman and prayed the rosary daily until her final days.

The family extends a heartfelt appreciation to her caregivers, especially Linda Dockens, her IV and home health nurse, Amanda Babb and Laura Boudreaux Farmer of Allegiance Home Health for their excellent and loving care of our mother.

Pallbearers are Sam A Rivers, Buford Sanders, Lindsey Rivers, Patrick Cox, David Rivers and Pat Rivers. Honorary pallbearers are Carl Renstrom, Joseph Rivers, Tommy Ezernack, Sammy Procell and Lucas White. 

Visitation will be Monday, March 18, 2024 at St. Joseph Catholic Church from 10:00 a.m. until the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. Father Tim Hurd will celebrate the Mass. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery.