Obituary

With heavy hearts and loving memories, we celebrate the life of Bettye Mae White, affectionately known as “Mommy” and “Nana,” who passed away peacefully on May 14, 2026, at the age of 86.

Bettye was born on February 28, 1940, in Colquitt, Georgia, to Nathaniel and Annie Pearl Johnson. A gifted student from an early age, she proudly graduated as her high school valedictorian, displaying the intelligence, determination, and excellence that would characterize her life.

On December 25, 1958, she married the love of her life, James C. White Sr. Together, they built a loving family and, in June 1961, were baptized as Jehovah’s Witnesses, faithfully serving Jehovah side by side throughout their lives.

Bettye deeply loved the ministry and found great joy in sharing Bible truths with others. She auxiliary pioneered from time to time and aided quite a few individuals in coming into the truth through her warm spirit, loving guidance, and steadfast faith. After losing her beloved husband in death in February 1973, Bettye’s main endeavor for the next 53 years was ensuring her children faithfully served Jehovah. She devoted herself wholeheartedly to encouraging and supporting them spiritually and was extremely proud to see them enter into the full-time service.

Bettye was known for her many talents and passions. She possessed a remarkable gift for sewing and could recreate nearly any style simply by looking at it. She also loved cooking and became especially famous for her fried chicken and cornflake chicken — meals lovingly prepared for everyone who entered her home. No one ever left Bettye’s house hungry.

She enjoyed basketball, traveling, cruising, couponing, and proudly wearing her beautiful hats, which became one of her signature trademarks. Above all, she devoted herself wholeheartedly to her children and family, always nurturing, supporting, and caring for those she loved.

Her life was one of selfless service. Bettye spent years caring for her parents, sister-in-laws, nieces, and nephews, often raising and loving them as her own. Her nurturing spirit, generosity, wisdom, compassion, and unwavering strength left a lasting impact on generations of family members and friends.

Bettye was preceded in death by her parents, Nathaniel and Annie Pearl Johnson; her beloved husband, James C. White Sr.; daughter-in-law, Demetra White; brother, Nathaniel Johnson (Mary); and nephew, Jonathan White.

She leaves to cherish her loving memory her children: Zoltan White (Theresa), Cynthia Petteway (O’Harror), James Collins White Jr., and Paul White (Janine); her grandchildren: Zacari White (Shenea), Zacaro White, Zaveinn White (Stephanie), James White, Julian Petteway (LaStacia), Demetrius White (Lorena), Bria Perkins (Caleb), Nikolette Petteway, and Tyler White (Leah); and her treasured great-grandchildren: Roman and Anaya White, Capri Perkins, and Giovana Petteway.

She is also lovingly survived by her brothers, John Albert Johnson (Buela) and Johnnie James Johnson; her aunt, Inez Bowie; brother-in-law, Robert White; sister-in-law, Enzie Hopson; and her beloved nieces and nephews Robert (Berna), Riley (Angela), Sonya, Shalese, Nate, and Shaneka, along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members, and her cherished spiritual family who will forever hold her memory close to their hearts.

Bettye’s legacy of love, faith, sacrifice, compassion, generosity, and devotion to Jehovah will continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her. She will be deeply missed, lovingly remembered, and forever cherished.

A memorial will be held on May 22 at Kingdom Hall at 1325 Woodland Ave Plainfield, NJ where friends and family will gather to honor and remember her beautiful life and enduring legacy.