The KC CALL

DELBERT WHITE JR.

FLOSSIE DAVIS

Delbert Lee White Jr., 66, died on April 10, 2022, in Leesburg, Va.

He was born on January 24, 1956, at Queen of the World hospital in Kansas City, Mo. Although he would become the namesake of his father, his given name was replaced by his hospital attending nurse for her astute observation of him being “cute as a button” resulting in him being affectionately known as “Buttons” by generations of family ever since.

He was raised in the Roman Catholic church and received the rites of the Holy Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist in his infancy and during childhood. He served as an Alter Boy throughout his adolescent years for both Immaculate Heart of Mary and Saint Louis parishes in Kansas City, Mo.

He received his primary and secondary education in parochial schools and spent his freshman year at De La Salle Catholic High School for Boys and after its closure, he transferred to Bishop Hogan Catholic High school where he was a Junior and Senior class president and a three-year letterman in football.

An exceptionally bright young man, Delbert received an academic scholarship to the prestigious Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. While also working as a Residential Assistant (RA), he completed a rigorous course of study and graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance with a minor in Economics with honors in 1978.

As a new Ivy League graduate, he relocated to the epicenter of Finance in the United States, Manhattan, N.Y., to work for Citicorp, and was eventually recruited by the Bank of Montreal to be a Junior Vice President. He also worked as a Stockbroker for Bear Stearns. After working much of his career on Wall Street, he eventually moved to Edenton, N.C., following his passion for great food and curated ambiances where he co-owned Creekside, a quaint restaurant which grew to be a community gem. In his later life, he worked in a variety of leadership roles in the retail food industry in New Orleans, La., Jackson, Miss., and Private Education

in the District of Columbia/Maryland/Virginia (DMV) area before retiring to enjoy his favorite past time—his grandson Jayden.

White Jr., was a brilliant-minded lifelong learner and relentless reader who would energetically engage in conversation of any topic. He was well-versed in the history of a broad range of genres and events, literature, music, sports, political science, international affairs and he loved to share his endless pipeline of little-known facts. His ability to recall every Star Wars scene and character from the Franchise as an avid Star Wars fan since the first film release-was unmatched. Delbert loved to laugh and lean into the sunny side of this life.

He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, nephew and uncle who touched many family and friends on his life journey with his welcoming spirit, wit and sense of humor.

He is survived by his parents, Delbert Lee White Sr., of Kansas City, Mo., and Mae Nicholson Birks of Dallas, Texas; his wife, Pamela Allen White of Sterling, Va.; daughters MacKenzie Tracey White of Denver, Colo., and Courtney White Miller; grandson, Jayden Miller of Washington, D.C.; sisters, Sharon Moten (Darren) of Chattanooga, Tenn., Jenell Clark of Dallas, Texas; nephew, Roderick Clark Jr. (Alexis); nieces, Brittanee Williams (Jeff), Elise Brown, Lea Brown; great-nephew, Emory Williams and greatniece, Zara Clark.

Celebration of Life Services for Mr. White will be held on Saturday, June 4, 2022, at 10:30 a.m., at the Saint Francis Xavier Catholic church.

Friends may call from 9:30 a.m., until service time Saturday at the church.

Services provided by E. S. Eley & Sons Funeral chapel.

Flossie Jean Davis was born Flossie Jean Williams to the late Robert and Lula Mae Williams, who were sharecroppers, in Tamo, Ark., on December 5, 1943.

She found Christ at an early age and her faith in God served as a moral and spiritual compass throughout her life. Surpassing the expectations set at Samuel Vaster school in Moscow, Ark., where she attended in her youth, she was advanced a grade ahead for her academic achievement. She would eventually become the first in her family to attend and graduate from a four-year university: Arkansas A. M. & N. (now known as the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff), where she majored in elementary education. It was at Arkansas A.M. & N. where she met her husband, Audrey Taylor

Davis. After the two moved to Kansas City, Mo., she became an elementary school teacher in the Kansas City Public Schools (KCPS) system, eventually retiring in 2001, after 32 years of service.

Mrs. Davis a humble and private person, appreciated the simple things in life. She loved God, her family, church, and was an avid, passionate supporter of her alma mater. She was known as much for her dexterity and effectiveness in the classroom as she was for her legendary zealousness for keeping everything exceptionally clean. A lifelong member of the Friendship Baptist Church, she was a spiritual woman who led by example and will be missed by all.

She is survived by her husband, Audrey Taylor Davis; along with their two sons, Darrel Taylor Davis and Donald Tyler Davis (known as Nimrod Shabazz); sister, Jeradean Johnson; 11 grandchildren, Daniellle Crawford, Sydni Crawford, Taylor Davis, Tamar Davis, Maya Love-Davis, Mirella Davis, Jeremy Davis, Dante Davis, Katherine Davis, London Shabazz, Leila Shabazz; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends; four sisters, L.V. Conway of Fresno, Cal., Maggie B. Biley, Vanilla Biley of Pine Bluff, Ark., and Olethia Anderson of Moscow, Ark., preceded her in death.

Services for Mrs. Davis were held on Monday, May 23, 2022, at the Friendship Baptist church.

Burial, Floral Hills cemetery.

Services provided by E. S. Eley & Sons Funeral chapel.

Obituaries

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2022-05-27T07:00:00.0000000Z

2022-05-27T07:00:00.0000000Z

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