Melva Payne White

On Saturday, May 31, 2025, Byron and Lois McCary welcomed Melva McCary White into Heaven's gates with open arms and big smiles. Melva was born at home in Corsicana, Texas on August 19, 1939. Melva slipped away from those of us left behind to greet her Lord and Savior at about 5 pm. As a member of the First Methodist Church of Chandler, Texas since 1989, she was prepared for the day that Christ would call her home. She will be sorely missed and grieved by all who knew and loved her, of which there were many.
Melva started her adult life as a stay at home Mom and in about 1966 began her working life in a variety of secretarial and executive assistant positions. She started as the secretary/executive assistant for the Hospital Administrator of The Doctors Hospital in Houston Texas. She then moved to a similar position with National Electrical Contractor Association also in Houston, Texas. Her final working position was as the Executive Assistant to the CEO of CM then followed him to CRS where she retired from that position in the mid 1980s.
Melva devoted much of her time to caring for and loving her family and extended family. She loved to have them all gathered at her home for meals and celebrations. When she had the opportunity she loved to travel and craft. As the single Mom of three kids those opportunities were sometime limited but very dear to her heart.
From her first marriage she was blessed with three children, Rocky Lynn Payne 1956-1977, Ronald Dean Payne (Susan) 1958 and Robin Ranee Carpenter (Jimmy) 1962. On January 23, 1982 Melva married Elvin Dwayne White and gained two more children, Greg White (Karen) and Tanya Baker (Sam). Her Grandchildren are Jarad Lynn Payne (Nadia), Meagan Allison Payne, Travis William Payne (Halie), Samuel Baker. Great Grandchildren, Kaleb, Garrison, Kai, and Wrenly Payne.
Melva was preceded in death by her son Rocky, parents Byron Monroe and Mattie Lois McCary, brother James Monroe McCary, sister Beverly Ann and sister Lois Elaine Nichols. She is survived by husband Elvin Dwayne White, brother Byron Glenn McCary (Terry), children Ronald Dean Payne (Susan) and Robin Ranee Carpenter (Jimmy), her grandchildren and great grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
A memorial service for Melva will be conducted Saturday, June 7, 2025 at 11 am, First Methodist Church, Chandler, Texas. Following the service there will be a family reception at the church.