Heyward White

Heyward White, son of George and Mary (Nicks) White was born on August 12, 1944 in Harleyville, South Carolina. He was the was the 8th of their 10 children.  He received his elementary and secondary education in the Harleyville school system. He graduated from Kennedy High School in 1962.  

He attended Jerusalem United Methodist Church in Harleyville where he accepted Christ at an early age.

He relocated to New York in 1962, where he worked at Avis Rental Car Company until he joined the US Army in 1965 during the Vietnam War. He received the Bronze Medal and National Defense Service Medal for his service.  He left the Army with an honorable discharge as a sergeant. 

At the age of 10, he met who would become to be his life partner, when she moved to Harleyville in “the corner” across the field from his house. Heyward was united in holy matrimony to his childhood playmate Johnnie Ruth Funchess in 1968.  From that union they had 3 daughters, Elita, LaWanda and LaShanda.  They joined Bethel AME Church in Far Rockaway New York in 1974. 

Heyward was employed at Consolidated Edison Utility Company for over 40 years until he retired in 2005. He and his wife then relocated to Orangeburg, South Carolina after their retirement. They joined William Chapel AME Church soon after their arrival.

Heyward was laid back, gentle, loyal, witty, and smart.  He loved to debate and propose concepts that forced you to think outside the box. He was friendly and never held a grudge.  Heyward was the epitome of a strong head of his family.  He was Dad, Daddy, Pop, and Uncle Pop to too many to count.  Heyward would say that he considered fatherhood a blessing and privilege that he took very seriously. He displayed that passion especially with his grandsons and anyone else that needed his care.  He was unselfish with his love and gave with no boundaries.  He took care of his family until his final days. 

He leaves to cherish his memories, his wife of 52 years Johnnie Ruth White, his beautiful daughters Elita White-Barnes (Phillip), LaWanda White and LaShanda White Rodriguez (Jose). Three grandsons Darius Q White, Brandon J White and Julian Heyward White, his special grandson Rashawn Davis (Shannetta), one great grandson Jamir Z White, one brother Herbert White, two sisters, Mary Ann Fuller, Janie Walter, 2  sisters in-law, Marian Miller, Paulette Funchess, 2 brothers in-law Jimmy Funchess (Phyllis), Paul Funchess (Janice) and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Viewing will be held Sunday, September 6, 2020 from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. at Glover's Funeral Home. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Heyward White, please visit our floral store.