Elinor (Maureen) White

Elinor (Maureen) White nee Burkes, passed peacefully from this life on October 11 at 10 p.m. in Amarillo Texas. A visitation will be held from 3:00 to 4:00 P.M. on Sunday, October 15, 2023 at Brooks Chapel in Canyon. Graveside services will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Monday, October 16, 2023 at Wetumka Cemetery in Wetumka, Oklahoma.

Maureen is predeceased by her husband, Dan White, her father, Clyde Burkes, her mother, Ruth Burkes, and her sister, Sharon Burkes.

She is survived by her sister, Jane Banister, her three children, Lisa White of Canyon Texas, Greg White and wife, Mary of Amarillo, TX, and David White, of Canyon TX, and her 5 grandchildren, Hadley White, Carson Hattz, Rudy Valore, Roman Martinez, and Celia Martinez.

Maureen was born on September 5, 1940 in Wetumka, Oklahoma to Clyde and Ruth Burkes. She graduated Valedictorian from Wetumka High School in May, 1958. She met the love of her life, Dan White in High School, and they both attended East Central University in Ada Oklahoma.

Maureen and Dan married in 1960 and moved to Lakewood Colorado where Dan taught in the Jefferson County school system and Maureen worked part time at a local department store. Maureen had her 3 children in Lakewood. They went on to Laramie Wyoming where Dan obtained his master's degree. They then moved to Del City Oklahoma, and after 2 years to Norman Oklahoma where Dan took coursework for his Doctorate of Education Degree and Maureen typed his dissertation as well as took care of the children.

The Family then moved to Canyon, Texas where Maureen and Dan both taught. It was in Canyon where Maureen became a school librarian. Librarianship was Maureen's calling from then on, serving children in the Amarillo and Canyon schools as a master teacher/librarian. Maureen was the very first librarian at Sundown Lane Elementary.

Maureen and Dan were very active in the University Church of Christ in Canyon. They enjoyed teaching bible class and helping out any way that they could. There were countless precious friendships made in Canyon and a new passion for the mission field. Maureen and Dan made numerous trips to India where they assisted in the Church of Christ school in Bhimavarim. Through their mission work, Maureen and Dan were able to travel the world.

Maureen and Dan moved to Abilene where Dan taught at Abilene Christian University and Maureen was an elementary school librarian. It was at this time that Maureen began working towards a doctorate degree. When she obtained her doctorate, she was quickly offered a position at the University of Houston, Clear Lake. Maureen made many dear friends in Clear Lake and loved her students and fellow faculty members. When Dan retired from Abilene Christian, he and Maureen moved back to Canyon and Maureen continued to teach at Clear Lake until she retired.

Maureen loved helping others. She loved her husband and children and grandchildren fiercely. She passed her love of helping others to her children and all who met her. She was also an accomplished pianist and in the early years, she would accompany her children and their friends.

Our loss is great, and she now goes to be with her Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ and her beloved husband.

"For our Citizenship is in Heaven."