George D.D.S. White

Dr. George R. White, age 90, departed this life on Tuesday, April 19, 2011 at Zusman House, Columbus, Ohio. Born August 10, 1920 in Nashville, Tennessee, George was the seventh of eight children from the union of Hortense Stone and George Richardson White, Sr. Education was a priority for the White Family, as reflected by seven of eight children completing degrees at Fisk University. Of the seven, four went on to receive professional degrees and three received Master's degrees. They were direct descendants of George Gordon Taylor, one of the original Fisk Jubilee Singers. In 1942, George received a bachelor's degree in Political Science from Fisk University. He also earned a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Indiana University (1948), and completed post graduate courses at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland and the University of London (1972). Dr. White was a Lieutenant in the United States Air Force and, during the Korean War, served as a dental officer with several medical regiments including the 7th Hospital Group in Japan and the 18th Medical Group in Korea. Prior to his honorable discharge from active military duty, he was awarded the United Nations Korean Service Medal. After an internship at Jersey City Medical Center, Dr. White also operated a private dental practice in Paterson, New Jersey. Following his retirement, Dr. White returned to Nashville, where he volunteered in the Office of Alumni Affairs at his beloved Fisk. Later, he moved to Columbus, Ohio, where he remained until his death. In addition to his parents, Dr. White is predeceased by his seven siblings, Dr. Edmonia White Davidson, James R. White, Dr. Emma Louise White Bragg, Hortense G. White, Dr. Kathryn White, Yvonne White Ruffin, and Lillian White Allen. Dr. White is survived by niece Patti Ruffin (Pat Ryan) of Atlanta, Georgia, nephews Richard Ruffin (Cindy Brantley) of Pheonixville, Pennsylvania and Kenneth George Ruffin (Susie Gerald) of Columbus, Ohio; grand niece Dr. Anita Rose White (Dr. Richard Barry White); great-grand nephew Jonathan Richard White, both of Chesterfield, Missouri; great grand niece Adrienne Michelle White of New York, New York; cousin Jeanne Holmes (Ronald) of Prince George, Virginia; and a loving family of friends including Mrs. Geraldine Chambliss Trammell of Chicago, Illinois, Dr. and Mrs. Roderick Iren (Joan) Bahner, Sr. and Family of Nashville, Tennessee, and Dr. and Mrs. Richard A. (Tamera) Roy of Columbus, Ohio. Inurnment Ceremony 2 p.m., Monday, May 2, 2011 at Greenwood Cemetery, 1428 Elm Hill Pike, Nashville, TN 37210. Rev. Barton E. Harris, Westwood Baptist Church, presiding. Arrangements entrusted to DIEHL-WHITTAKER FUNERAL SERVICE, 720 E. Long Street, Columbus, OH 43203.