Anita Frances Bartlett White

Mrs. Anita Frances Bartlett White, 92 of Florence, SC left this world and ran into the loving arms of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on her husband’s birthday, Tuesday, November 22, 2022 at 12:05 A M. What a beautiful reception and reunion that must have been to be greeted by family including her parents; Carl, the love of her life for 72 years; their son Steven; a great grandchild, Brecken Bartlett White and above all, Jesus Christ! Born Anita Frances Bartlett on July 20, 1930 to the late Ernest Allen and Etta Lillian Bartlett in Clarksburg, WVA. Following a wonderful childhood, Anita graduated from Washington Irving High School and later from Potomac State College. Mrs. Anita received a Bachelor of Arts degree from West Virginia University in December of 1980 and was an avid Mountaineer fan! Mrs. White loved to learn and continued graduate studies through both East Carolina University and Webster University. On October 14, 1950, Anita married her high school sweet-heart Joseph Carl White, Jr. Carl had enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in Sept. 1949 and thus their USMC journey began and spanned over 35 ½ years. The Lord chose to bless the happy couple with their first child, Steven Allen White who was born on Anita’s birthday but unfortunately passed away at the age of 34. Carl and Anita also became parents to a daughter, Marcia Joan White and two years later, they were blessed with their third and final child, Joseph Bartlett White. Their Christian marriage was a match made in heaven and their family has been their highest priority under the authority of Jesus Christ, Himself! Mrs. Anita White was definitely a Proverbs 31 wife as she truly “feared the Lord” and sacrificed so many times to be the best Marine wife possible. Although military life is not always easy, Mrs. Anita was always a proud and supportive Marine wife no matter where that assignment was going to take them. That attitude and commitment is the reason the distinguished title of “Marine Wife of the Year” was bestowed upon her while they were stationed at Quantico, Virginia. Mrs. White was a highly respected Special Educator for 42 ½ years and served in many capacities throughout her husband’s military career and various duty stations from NC to SC to Hawaii and back. She was instrumental in helping write laws, statutes, grants, and curriculum for people with learning disabilities. Mrs. Anita White loved her students and their families and was constantly advocating to prove what people with disabilities “CAN DO” rather than what they “Can’t Do”! Mrs. White was a much loved and respected speaker, teacher, colleague and friend, even on a national level. She was blessed to have taught the very first Trainable Mentally Retarded Class back in the 1960’s in New Bern, NC and she retired at the age of 76 as the Director of the Brunswick Interagency Program at Brunswick Community College in Supply, NC in 2006. The world has truly lost a champion advocate for people with developmental disabilities. However, Mrs. White has touched so many lives throughout her life and career. As Dr. Greg Bland from Brunswick Community College in Supply, NC shared… “Mrs. White’s life was all about service to others. Her finger prints are everywhere and will therefore continue to make a huge difference”! It is no surprise that Mrs. White received many awards and accolades throughout her lifetime including: NC Award for Distinguished Service for the Compensatory Education Program Civitan International Award for “Can Do” Campaign Outstanding Service Award – SC Mental Retardation Department Distinguished Service Award for Service to Person with Disabilities Employee of the Year – Brunswick Community College YWCA Woman of Achievement Award for Human Services These are only a few, however, Mrs. White’s greatest success stories were watching her students learn, love, grow and develop as she trusted Jesus to be the “Chairman of the Board” for her programs. Mrs. Anita White loved her God and surrendered her heart to Him as a teenager. She was blessed with a servant’s heart and was sincerely committed to any position that she accepted throughout their various churches. Mrs. White was a faithful member of Immanuel Baptist Church in Florence, SC, where she became Immanuel’s biggest cheerleader for her visions and extra special projects such as “Pure Water, Pure Love” which helps provide clean drinking water for missionaries and the people around the world to whom they minister. Mrs. White’s “favorite” project had to be Immanuel’s Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes through the Franklin Graham Ministries for children all around the world. OCC not only provides small gifts for children who probably would not have Christmas; but, more importantly, this project is done with the hope of introducing the children and their families to Jesus Christ. Mrs. Anita loved her AWESOME Immanuel Pastor, church family and her Ladies of Grace Sunday School Class and felt so blessed to have been received with open arms when she moved to Florence from Oak Island, NC in 2013. There is absolutely no doubt that on “moving day”, the Lord Jesus Himself ushered her into heaven saying “Well done good and faithful servant – enter in”! As quoted in Proverbs 31:28, “Her children arise to call her blessed” … Mrs. White leaves behind to cherish her memory her only daughter, Marcia White Pittman (Rev. Charles M. Pittman, Jr.) of Florence, SC and one son, Joseph Bartlett White (Kathy), of Beaufort, SC and an “adopted son and daughter”, Virgil and Barbara Potter, Landrum, SC. Better known as “MeMe”, Mrs. White was an endeared grandmother to her fabulous grandchildren: Christi Kay Holsey (Mike); Frederick MD; Stephanie Dawn Keim (Vern), Finksburg, MD; Matthew Aaron White Pittman (Amanda), Southport, NC; Travis Lee Bartlett White (Jennifer), Lexington, SC; Andrew Steven White Pittman (Stephanie), Florence, SC; and Ashley Marie Sawyer (James), Ladies Island, SC and “adopted” granddaughter, Valerie Potter, Ash, NC. Great Grandchildren are Daevon, Jamarkus, and Chloe Holsey; Haleigh Keim; Gracelee & Elias Pittman; Asher, Abner & Asa Pittman; Adley & Annie Rae Sawyer; and “adopted” greats, William Grisett, III and Harper Amelia Jackson. In addition, Mrs. White is survived by “brothers” Ray White (Cherry), Sewickly, PA and Dave White (Carol), Ambler, PA; as well as many special nieces, nephews and cousins. The family would like to thank Dr. Prakash Beeraka, Dr. Jordanna Baker, Dr. Lesley Kirby, Dr. Jason Odell, Dr. Carl Sloan, and the marvelous caring staff at the McLeod Hospice House; Mrs. Judy Boone and Mrs. Lydia King for their “sitting services’, as well as the entire Immanuel Baptist family which includes our fabulous IBC Administrative Assistant, Ms. Danielle Hicks. Mrs. Anita had a plethora of genuine friends and colleagues in her lifetime; however, Mrs. Barbara Puckett from Southport, NC was her “BFF”. Above all, we give thanks to God for His unending grace, love, and mercy! A celebration of life service will be held for Mrs. Anita White at Immanuel Baptist Church, 306 W. Cherokee Road, Florence, SC 29501 on Wednesday, November 30, 2022 at 4:00 PM with the Rev. Charles Pittman officiating. Mrs. White loved being a bright, colorful Christian and asked for people attending her service to wear bright colors. Mrs. White will be buried with her husband of 72 years, in the Beaufort; National Cemetery, Beaufort, SC on Thursday, December 1, 2022 at 2:00 PM. The family will receive friends from 5-7 PM on Tuesday, November 29, 2022 at Stoudenmire- Dowling and other times at Mrs. White’s home. Memorials may be made to Immanuel Baptist Church, 306 W. Cherokee Road, Florence, SC 29501. Please remember…” Because He Lives, We Can Face Tomorrow”!