Nancy Crawford White

Nancy Gallup White, 88, passed away peacefully on April 14, 2025 in Savannah, Georgia. She was born Nancy Crawford Gallup on August 28, 1936 to Royal Kenneth and Dorothy Morrison Roane Gallup in Norfolk, Virginia. She was raised in the Portlock section of Chesapeake in a home built on her great-grandfather's former farm, Edgewood. Nancy attended Portlock High School and graduated from South Norfolk High School. A single mother of four following her divorce in 1964, she moved with her daughters to the Indian River section of Chesapeake upon her marriage to John Earle "Jack" White, III in 1970.

Nancy worked as a secretary and bookkeeper at White/Stewart, Inc, formerly White and Dashiell. Raised in Rosemont Christian Church in Portlock, where her great-grandparents were founding members and her mother served as choir director for many years, Nancy was deeply involved in church life. She sang in the Adult Choir, led the Cherub Choir, taught Vacation Bible School, and organized children's Christmas pageants. Renowned for her beautiful singing voice, she often performed solos. After marrying Jack, she joined St. Bride's Episcopal Church in Chesapeake, where she remained a devoted choir member, arranging her life around her commitment to singing. She was a member of the Altar Guild and was celebrated for crafting beautiful Christmas trees sold at the church's annual Fall Bazaar.

An avid gardener, Nancy found great joy in her flower beds. Her plantings were designed to attract birds and she enjoyed feeding and watching them. She loved housecats and had many feline companions over the years. She was a big supporter of the Yankees baseball team and liked to watch football on TV. Her talents as an amateur artist left a legacy of cherished paintings and drawings in the homes of her family. A voracious reader, she passed her love of novels to her daughters and grandchildren. Curious and self-educated far beyond her formal schooling, Nancy had a passion for learning. She and Jack, lovers of classical music, were longtime subscribers to the Virginia Opera, Norfolk Symphony and Chamber Music societies. With their large blended family Nancy and Jack hosted memorable gatherings, particularly at Thanksgiving and Christmas where Nancy's flair for cooking and decorating shone. She embraced the challenge of uniting their seven daughters with grace and strength.

In addition to her parents, Nancy was preceded in death by her husband of 44 years, John Earle White, III (2014), sisters Barbara Gallup Cromer (Ray) (2021) and Dorothy Gallup (1981), and first husband Herbert Gordon Ward (2019). She is survived by daughters Dianna Ward Riggs (Walter), Suzanne Ward Gardner (Michael), Barbara Ward Housand (Bill), Ann Ward Housand (Gene), step-daughters Laura White Forehand (Ronald), Debra Ann White, and Katherine White Stott (Lee). Her grandchildren are Margie Riggs, Nancy Riggs Arnold, Michael Gardner (Andrea), Kenneth Gardner (Kathryn), Elizabeth Gardner Ostbye (Robert), Michelle Housand Kilgore (Jeremy), Stephanie Housand Mendenall (Matthew), Christopher Housand, Bryan Housand (Elizabeth), Phillip Housand (Kelsey), Kelly Housand LaFleur (Kenneth), Amanda Forehand Laginess, John Forehand (Erin), Jessica Stott Allison (Joel), Whitney Stott, and Christina White (Sasha). She is also survived by 22 great-grandchildren, as well as her sister's family in Oklahoma.

A Requiem Mass will be held at St. Bride's Episcopal Church, 621 Sparrow Rd., Chesapeake, Virginia 23325 on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at 10:00 am. The service will be live-streamed; contact the church at (757) 420-7033 for the link. Nancy G. White and John E. White III, beloved husband and wife, will be laid to rest together the following day at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Norfolk. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Bride's Episcopal Church Living Memorial Fund.