Eva R. White

Eva Rogene (Mitchell) White died on Sunday September 10, 2023 at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana, Illinois surrounded by family at the age of 104 years, 11 months and 18 days. She was born at home in Fulton County Illinois on September 23, 1918 the only daughter of Lawrence G Mitchell and Dorothy (Carroll) Mitchell.
Eva attended the local township one room grade school with her brother, Lemuel, driving her and her cousin in a little cart pulled by a pony. She graduated with honors from Avon Community High School in 1936.  During the years of World War II, she worked at a meat processing plant packing rations for the soldiers abroad.
She and Virgil Glen White married on May 17, 1947 in Macomb, Illinois and were able to celebrate 49 years together until Virgil’s death in 1996. During their early years, they owned and operated their own plumbing and heating business before moving to the Champaign- Urbana area. Eva, also known as “Jean” to many worked at the University of Illinois Physical Plant Service Building for 20 years before retiring in 1980. She was a member of the 1st United Methodist Church in Urbana.Always selfless and doing for others instead of herself, she took pride in caring for her family and was dedicated to doing the right thing. She had a green thumb and enjoyed baking and cooking so many meals well past her 100th birthday. She remained active in her own home living mostly independently until the very end. She is survived by her son, Gregory White, daughter Tonita (Dan) Smith and step daughter Vita Smith; four grandchildren Jamey (Ann) Smith, Matthew Smith, Max (Ashley) White and McKenzie White; and four great grandchildren Phoenix Smith, Victor Smith, Cesca Smith and Ryan White.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Virgil, her only brother, Lemuel Mitchell, a daughter-in-law Maggie (Shannon) White and four step children Virgil White Jr, Verle White, Vincent White and Versa Umphryes. As a celebration and tribute to her life, a family and friends gathering will be held at Eva’s home on Tuesday September 12, 2023. She would want you to remember the Love of family is life’s greatest blessing

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