Mrs Elsia Mae Kennedy-White

On August 24, 1943, Elsia Mae Kennedy was born as the third daughter of five to the late Elwood and Georgia Mae (Pirtle) Kennedy, in Jackson, TN. In her earlier childhood, Elsia developed gifted talents. One being, that she learned to play the piano after only taking a few piano lessons. She no longer felt that she needed classes because she understood the chord patterns and could pick them up by ear. Her Christian convictions began her journey on the path to wanting to play for the Lord. As a young child, Elsia’s love for the Lord, lead her to join Macedonia Baptist Church, under the leadership of Rev. Clevant Derricks. From this beginning, she was led to play the piano for the Progressive Community Baptist Church, and later in life the Lord led her to New Hope Baptist Church. Elsia had a beautiful alto singing voice which was very instrumental in helping the Youth Choir of New Hope in many of their programs. She utilized chords and harmony to enhance their singing by using her own voice as an example and they sand and made a joyful and heartfelt noise to the Lord. Church was her social outlet and she was totally committed to the work of the Lord and was truly obedient to the Word of God. Elsia was also blessed with creative writing skills, dealing with number and accounting, and her love for decorating. She was indeed a quiet, gentle, and spiritual soul that had the ability to touch your heart with positive inspiration that had a lasting impression. As a Jacksonian, Elsia definitely holds part of the surrounding history. In the mid-1960’s, she will be forever known as one of the first African-Americans, along with her sister Jeraldine, to become telephone operators at Bell South (formerly known as South Central Bell). She was also employed at Merry Junior High School, Merry Senior High School, and Parkview Elementary School. She was often recognized for her outstanding record of never failing a yearly bookkeeping audit. Her last employer was The Jackson Sun, where she maintained an outstanding customer and community satisfaction rate for speed and accuracy. In her 20’s, Elsia married, L.J.White, and from that union two children were born, James & Charisse White. Later divorced, she committed herself to being a loving single parent taking on both roles in the home of raising her children with respect. Preceding her in death, other than her parents, are her oldest sister, Dorth Ann Ballentine and her youngest sister, Freddie K. Pearson. She leaves to mourn her loss, son, James Edward White; daughter, Charisse (Dexter) White-Amos; Grandchildren, Jamel Devon White, and Tramel Desean Amos; Great-Grandchild, Jzaeuh Devon White; two sisters, Bettye Bonds of Gary, IN and Jeraldine (Willie) Taylor of Grand Rapids, MI; a half sister, Jeanette Byrd of Ypsilanti, MI; a half brother, Alvin Kennedy of Elgin, IL; and honorable mention to aunts, Ida B Pirtle and Lula B. Clark for their never ending support throughout the years, and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. Holding on to her unfaltered FAITH, Elsia never complained through her ailing days, never stopped believing in a healing miracle, and remained true to that by being a inspiration throughout the fight of her life, which ended sadly and humbly on April 11, 2012, at 3:15 p.m., at Jackson Madison County General Hospital. She will be forever missed.

Mrs Elsia Mae Kennedy-White

August 24, 1943 - April 11, 2012