Ellen Overstreet White
(July 8, 1943 - July 9, 2013)

Suffolk - Ellen was born on July 8, 1943 in Portsmouth, Virginia and graduated from Cradock High School in 1961. A life-long Portsmouth resident, Ellen was married to Charles E. "Gene" White, Sr. for 51 years. In addition to her husband, Ellen is survived by two children—Charles E. "Gene" White Jr. (Jennifer) of Chesapeake and Leslie White Beck (Chris) of Spanish Fort, Alabama, and grandson, Charles "Jackson" White.

Ellen met her husband, Gene, when she asked him to dance at a local teenage dance while he was on leave from the U.S.A.F. before going to Japan for 2 years. They dated for the full 30 days then didn`t see each other again for 2 years. They began dating again on his return for a total of 60 more days and were married shortly thereafter.

Ellen worked while attending high school at Rose`s and as a dental assistant. After her children were old enough, Ellen went to work for the Portsmouth Commissioner of the Revenue and retired as a supervisor after 20 years. Ellen continued to work later on in the comptroller's office of Harley Davidson for a short period of time, but left to enjoy her time with her husband and to travel.
Ellen`s love of her children and her Grandson Jackson was her biggest joy. She lived to see and be around them and talked to them every day! Jackson was a special joy in her life, and she would not miss one of his school activities, be it little league or one of his coral concerts or a drama production! She loved to hear him sing and play guitar or piano.

Ellen was also active in many social activities. Her beloved Red Hot Red Hatters group, where she was a charter member and "Vice Queen" for many years, was very special to her. She was also a member of "Frivolous Friends" and the Beasley Center where she became an expert "beader" and bracelet maker, which she enjoyed giving to friends. Words cannot express how much she loved her friends and family. They were what she lived for. She lived by the old quote: "A stranger is only a friend you haven`t met."

A graveside service will be held 11 A.M. Friday, July 12, at Meadowbrook Memorial Gardens by the Rev. Hal Hostetler. The family will receive friends at Sturtevant Funeral Home, Portsmouth Blvd. Chapel Thursday from 6 - 8 p.m.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Virginia Hemophilia Foundation at vahemophilia.org in Ellen's name.

www.SturtevantFuneralHome.com.

Published in The Virginian Pilot on July 10, 2013