Mary Louise White

White, Mary Louise Frechtling, age 89 of Maryville, TN, passed away Wednesday, December 7, 2011 at Shannondale Health Care Center in Maryville, TN. She was born August 20, 1922 in Hamilton, Ohio to the late Amanda and Arthur Frechtling and was the younger sister to Walton and Carl Frechtling. Her mother was blind from the time of Mary's birth, instilling a strong sense of self-reliance and independence that influenced Mary her entire life. She was an excellent student at Indiana University, where she met her future husband, James Carl White, in the chemistry laboratory. After graduating in 1943, Mary earned her Master's Degree in Physiological Chemistry at Ohio State University while Jim served in World War II. Mary worked in the medical school there while Jim earned his PhD in chemistry after returning from military service. They were married on September 7, 1946 and recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary. Upon Jim's graduation they moved to Oak Ridge, TN where he began his career, later relocating to Knoxville in 1953 where they lived until Mary's failing health took them to Maryville's Shannondale Resident Center. Mary is survived by their four children and their spouses, Andrew and his wife, Betsy of River Forest, Illinois; James and his wife, Kris of Boulder, Colorado; Teresa White Dillard, whose husband precedes Mary in death; and Thomas and his wife, Beth of Chattanooga, TN; Their grandchildren, Chip Dillard and his wife, Margaret, Drew White, Zach White, Erin Dillard, Tyler White and his wife, Diane, Mary Stewart White, Molly White and Henry White and one great-grandchild, Kaden White. Mary was an avid gardener, a determined solver of crossword puzzles, a lover of mystery novels, and a dedicated fan of her beloved Chicago Cubs. She traveled with her husband to Australia, Japan and Europe. A longtime member of Messiah Lutheran Church in Knoxville, Mary was a willing volunteer, teaching Sunday School and serving as the financial secretary for many years. She and husband were supporters of higher education and established annual awards at Indiana University and Pellissippi State. She was a highly organized disciplined and self-reliant in everything she did and a devoted and loving wife, mother and grandmother. She will be sorely missed. A special thanks go to the nurses and staff of the Shannondale Health Care Center, whose care and compassion brought a great comfort in her final days. A memorial service will be held 11:00 Am Monday at Messiah Lutheran Church, Knoxville with a reception to follow in the fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the Memorial Fund at Messiah Lutheran Church, 6900 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919. Online condolences may be sent to www.rosemortuary.com. Arrangements provided by Rose Mortuary Mann Heritage Chapel.

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Mary Louise White

August 20, 1922 - December 7, 2011