Nelle Stokely White

Nelle Stokely White, age 91, passed away on Saturday, March 17, 2007. She left this earth a better place by touching many lives through her 40 years of teaching and living a Christian life. She began teaching in a one room school in the mountains of Del Rio, having to board in students' homes. Nelle was loved and repected by all of her students. Bible verses were included daily to promote memory and develop morals in her students. World-renown star of opera and movies, Grave Moore, was Nelle's first cousin. Nelle often told that she was given Grace's clothes to wear to Hiwassee College. Nelle's father, Hubert Stokely, was the mail carrier who escorted Christy (Presbyterian missionary/teacher Leonora Woods) from the Del Rio depot into the Old 15th on horseback to Edenezer Mission School. Woods' daughter, Catherine Marshall, later told this story in her famous novel "Christy." Nothing made Nelle happier than watching her grandsons, Chad and Darrin, grow up and graduate from college. She was blessed with a great granddaughter, Kiersten, who brought joy and delight to her. Nelle was preceded in death by her husband, Floyd White; father, Hubert Stokley; mother, Hattie McNabb Stokley Smart; step-father, Jehu Smart; sister, Burdell Lindsay; brothers, Lynn, Tom, George Estel and Bern. Survivors include daughter and son-in-law, Sandy and Joe Burchette; grandsons, Chad and Darrin Burchette; great granddaughter, Kiersten Burchette; brother and sister-in-law, Hubert and Essie Stokely; sister-in-law, Connie Stokely; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, James and Ruth Whitlock; several nieces, nephews, special friends, Marilyn Brooks, Doris Stinnett, Debra Ellison, Wednesday Breakfast Group and devoted niece Eula Dean Lamb. A special thanks to Dr. David Rankin and Baptist Hospital of East Tennessee for the special care given. Funeral services will be held 8:00 pm Monday, March 19, 2007 in Manes Funeral Home Chapel, with Dr. Craig Ward officiating. The family will receive friends from 5-8 pm Monday at Manes Funeral Home prior to the funeral. Burial will be held 11:00 am, Tuesday, March 20, 2007 in Union Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Lincoln Avenue Baptist Joy Group, 234 Lincoln Ave., Newport, TN 37821 or First Baptist TV Ministry, 261 East Broadway, Newport, TN 37821.

Nelle Stokely White

April 15, 1915 - March 17, 2007