Henry Eugene White

Henry Eugene White was born on Easter Sunday morning March 28, 1948, in Dallas, Texas to Henry James White and Ruby Lee Levingston White. He transitioned to be with the Lord on June 22, 2021.

Henry graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1966. Upon graduation, he matriculated at Hampton Institute (University); however, he graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington with a degree in Mathematics in 1971. 

Henry married the love of his life, Alice Gaines, on December 31, 1971. The two remained united until Henry's transition.

As a teenager, Henry worked professionally as a jazz drummer from 1960 - 1977 playing in clubs and concerts in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. He also enjoyed a longtime career with IBM where he started in sales. Most notably, he was the first Black manager in the New Orleans office in 1977. He later became Manager of the IBM Product Center in Dallas and became a Microsoft Certified Engineer and IBM OS/2 instructor. After more than 30 years of service, Henry retired in 2002. Ten years into retirement, Henry decided to impact lives in a more active role as a substitute teacher in Dallas Independent School District in which he served from 2012 - 2018 at Longfellow Academy. He also continued his gift as an influencer from 2015 - 2019 as an instructor at the Oasis Center, a faith based nonprofit organization that focuses primarily on equipping low/moderate income members of the community with the tools to secure employment and independence. 

Henry accepted Christ as his personal Savior in 1985 and joined Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship where he faithfully served in the Parking Lot and Choir Ministries. To accommodate caring for his mother-in-law in her last days, he joined North Dallas Community Bible Fellowship in 2004 to have a church base closer to home. At North Dallas Community Bible Fellowship, he was elected as a deacon in 2009 and also sang in the choir. A man after God's heart, Henry enjoyed using his voice to God's glory in both speaking and singing. He performed in multiple vocal groups - the Messengers of Joy (NDCBF) and Alternative Voices (OCBF) - alongside some of his closest friends at various events around the Metroplex and at prisons for God's glory. He reunited with his home church prior to his transition. 

Beginning in 1995, Henry started his life's work of ministering to the incarcerated men/women of various correctional facilities in the state of Oklahoma, primarily Joseph Harp Correctional Center. This work eventually birthed Unto the Least Ministry; a non-profit dedicated to prison ministry. This ministry included trips taken every month to Oklahoma prisons, where Henry led and coordinated church services faithfully until his passing.

Affectionately regarded as "Gene" and "Uncle Gene", Henry enjoyed history (particularly Dallas and Texas history), listening to and playing Jazz, storytelling, teaching, public speaking, watching KERA cooking shows, and cooking the dishes presented on the show as well as his own creations, and watching the Dallas Cowboys. He also delighted in computer technology, art, Bible study, video games (especially playing with his grandson), and dominoes. 

Henry will be fondly remembered for his smile and also his gregarious, colorful, faithful, and committed nature. A family man and loyal friend, he will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry James White, and Ruby Lee Hester; daughter, Willicia Raney; siblings and siblings-in-law - Aubrey John Robinson, Ruby Nell (Robinson) Deloach, Ulyesses Robinson, Nathaniel Robinson, Donald Ray "Mickey" Gaines (brother-in-law), Herbert Lee Gaines (brother-in-law), Victor Gaines (brother-in-law), and Ethola Gaines (sister-in-law); and parents-in-law, Valeria Gaines and Willie C. "Bill" Gaines.

Those left to cherish precious memories include his wife of almost 50 years, Alice Gaines White; children: Henry White II, Alec White, and Sheila White; grandchildren - Aaron Martinez, Marcus Miller, Jeremiah Miller, and Preston White; siblings and siblings-in-law - Phillip and Brenda Robinson, Robert Earl and Pat Deloach, Edgar and Willie C. Pegues, Sanford Joe and Arvella Peters, Loretta Moore, and Chestine Cook Thomas; elected siblings - Gary and Marsha Brooks and Logan Williams; spiritual children - Derrick Wright, Star (Roniqua) James, and Nicole Burns; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. 

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