This entry is one that's very personal, not only to myself, but to my entire church family. One month ago, the First Lady and Mother of our church home transitioned to be with the Lord. It's taken some time to complete this entry because no words could possibly articulate who Mrs. Dorothy White truly was, or what she meant to all of us.

Mother White was the First Lady of the E Church since its beginning. She wore many hats, both figuratively and literally. She was the silent background to her husband's foreground, and she held her position with grace, dignity, humbleness, and integrity. She wasn't a loud or outspoken person, but when she spoke, people listened. She shared her wisdom, and was completely transparent about her life and the lessons she's learned. Her heart was one of warmth and love, and you didn't have to be a family member to feel that.

Though she raised her children, she also took on many others through her beliefs of a "village" and community raising and planting seeds in the younger generations. She often gave advise on her personal walk with God, struggles she's experienced in life, and lessons she's learned as a woman, wife, and mother. She never held back when she knew others were in need, and she welcomed anyone who could feed off her knowledge and experience, in the hopes that they would share what they've learned, and spread it out into the world.

Her wisdom continues to go on as the young kids she helped influence now have children of their own. And through her family, generations will keep her values and life lessons going on. Even now, looking for the words to express her don't seem to do justice, but to every life that she's touch, every person she came into contact with, and every darkest corner she gave light to, everyone had a very personal relationship with her. She was a one on one person and connected best with others very acoustically, without bells or whistles.

Her light will linger, and her walk will continue to be a path for many to follow, including myself, as I walk my own journey. Her passing was peaceful, and while it was sad at times, we celebrated her graduation into something that we should ALL be striving for, eternal life with Him.

Love you grams...

Dorothy Jo White