Anne Douglas White's Obituary
Anne Douglass White. Native Nashvillian born 10/12/1924, died 12/09/2022. A lifelong positive influence on so many people in so many ways! She was the adored only child of Anne Kissling White and Edward Douglass White, and she was their devoted caregiver in their elder years.
Anne was a graduate of East High School, Ward Belmont (junior college), and Duke University. She had a rewarding 37-year career as a high school mathematics teacher, first at Central High School and then at John Overton High School. She was named Metro Nashville Teacher of the Year in 1982 and received several Tennessee Teacher-of-the-Year Certificates of Appreciation. Of special note, Anne was an outstanding forensics coach, with school teams and individual students placing at local, regional, and national debate competitions. There are debate scholarship awards in her name to this day. Anne was inducted into the prestigious National Forensic League Hall of Fame in 1984. She received numerous Voice of Democracy Award Citations by the Veterans of Foreign Wars for participation in their scholarship program. During her retirement, Anne frequently enjoyed visits, flowers, letters, cards, phone calls, and other gestures from former students, who thanked her for her great impact on their lives.
A longtime member of Westminster Presbyterian Church, Anne served many roles and enjoyed fellowship activities, including: Sunday School teacher, Deacon, Elder. For years, Anne and dear friend Betty Baxter counted the Sunday collections on Monday, followed by an afternoon of bridge with some combination of Bobbi Graves, Emily Miller, Martine Kendall, Torrey Nance, and Frosty Worley. Anne had a keen mind and bridge was a passion, often playing with several bridge groups in a week. One of her bridge groups played together for decades. Anne enjoyed membership in Centennial Club and participation in volunteer activities.
Anne experienced polio as a young child, which left her with an impaired leg requiring a brace for the rest of her life. But anyone who really knew her never considered her handicapped. She was strong and courageous in every way. While her family nickname was “Little Anne” and she was indeed short in stature, her world was big. She loved travel, across the United States and Europe. Having a broad palate, Anne and cousin Jennie Bowman had so many fun adventures exploring Nashville area restaurants. She was a big reader and lifelong learner. She had a big circle of friends to whom she was very loyal.
A treasured member of a large extended family, Anne was the matriarch in her later years. She will always be remembered for her kindness and thoughtfulness to all of the children in the family. Among her surviving White family clan are these families: White, Graves, Bowman, Barnett, Wade, Gardner, Smith, Norling, Ball, McAllister, Gutierrez, Hollins, Guiffre. The Pitts, Smithwick, and Zadick families were also dear to her. The family is most appreciative of the kind and compassionate care from her loyal friend and companion Mary Inman, pastors and members of Westminster, staff at Abe’s Garden (Park Manor), Dr. Matthew Beuter and staff, and most recently Alive Hospice.
Graveside service at Spring Hill Cemetery at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, December 20, 2022, followed by Visitation at Westminster Presbyterian Church from noon-2:00 PM.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Westminster Presbyterian Church, 3900 West End Avenue, Nashville, TN 37205.
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