Maurice White

age 84, of Hoover, went to be with his Lord on Saturday, May 28, 2005. He was at home with his loving devoted and caring wife Louise Falkner White at his side. The terrible disease Cancer had encroached into his body; Mr. White chose "The Metabolic Cancer Therapy Treatment" (Vitamins, Minerals, Herbs and the "Electro-Positive Diet" of excellent foods), therefore he lived and died 'Pain-Free' as he left this world that he loved so much. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harvey and Annie B. White; his brothers, Emory, Harold and Winston; and his sisters, Opal Brown and Mildrew Matthews. He was born in Fyfee, AL on April 9th, 1921. His family moved to Birmingham when he was young. He attended West End High School, and married Louise Falkner on April 30, 1943. He was supervisor at a defense factory making bomb crates until Dec. 1943, when he joined the military and served in the U.S. Army Air Force in WW ll until the end of the war. Upon completion of his service he returned to Birmingham and took over running the family business, H.R.White Heating, Roofing and Metal Company (which he had grown up in). In 1949 he and Louise started building a one-of- a-kind home from solid concrete and steel on beautiful Shades Mountain (Bluff Park area). They moved in Dec. 1950. He was a member of Bluff Park United Methodist Church, past member of the board, and charter member of Opportunity Class (which he named). He helped remodel many church classrooms through the years and did many needed projects in and around the Church. He was active in Boys Scouts Troop 21 with his sons. He enjoyed taking the scouts on camp outs.Throughout his life he enjoyed fixing and repairing things and helping others. A man of many God given talents, "He could take what others called nothing and he could make it into something. " His love for antiques came from his mother. He spent many enjoyable hours re-building antique gasoline engines and with Louise they traveled to many shows throughout the US, displaying a different collection each time. His most prized items were an 'Alcohol Burning Fan and a complete operating Grist Mill'. Nothing was ever too old or in too many parts for him. He would start to work repairing and 'it ran' before he was finished. He made an impact on many lives and was respected by all he met. A handshake was a contract in business. He taught a trade to many young men. He was not "all work", as he built a home on Lake Martin, Electic, AL, in 1956, which family and many friends shared on week-ends boating, fishing and skiing behind his boat "Lou Mar". He liked to show off by skiing on a boat paddle. In 1963, he and Louise started White Trailer & Body Company. His sons joined the business as they finished school. He is survived by his wife of 62 years. She was always at his side, helping and giving support in whatever he decided to do next as they advanced through their life together. They had four wonderful sons, Don (Karen) of Orange Beach, Larry (Daphne) of Hoover, Greg (Sue) of Springville and Todd (Cynthia) of Orange Beach; twelve grandchildren: Nicole (Lester Bryant), Laura White, Angel White Roan, Larica (Steve Grand), Jason (Jaime), Traci (Mike Kontoulas), Josh, Lynette (James Callhan), Larry Harvey (Carrie), Brittny and Todd, Jr.; one sister, JoAnn Wynn of Vestavia; special loved ones, Betty Whaley, Daricer Shoemaker, Johnny and Kathy Abercrombie; and thirteen loveable Great-Grands. He and Louise loved their big family so much and had many wonderful Christmases with 'all home for Christmas'. Many friends enjoyed years of 'Christmas Open House at the White's.' Maurice bought beautiful farm land on top of Pine Mt., Springville, AL in 197l. When he retired in 1982, his sons took turns operating the family business- (The building was destroyed by fire in Jan. 2002.) He spent many a happy day trying his hand at growing vegetables in God's glorious earth. He enjoyed driving his tractor and working the land. This farm also gave him more space to collect even more things now he had the area to store whatever he found . ( Louise always said "Honey, you are going to have to live to be two hundred years old to get all this done"). God did allow him many fruitful years until July, 2004, when cancer was found. It had invaded his body. Still he was able to do everything he wanted to do until March, 2005, as he had 'no pain'. God was so gracious to this creative man; until the end he kept saying, "I've got things to finish, I've got to get up and out." He had never had any major illness in his life. His family is so proud of his 84 years of accomplishment. "Maurice was a man of few words, but when he spoke it was worth your time to listen----He is with his Lord now, but he will never be forgotten, as he lives on in the hearts of many." The family will receive friends on Monday, May 30, 2005, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Currie-Jefferson Funeral Home, Hwy 150, Hoover. Funeral Services will be on Tuesday, May 31, 2005, at 11:00 a.m. in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Reid Crotty officiating. Interment will follow in Jefferson Memorial Gardens, South. Pallbearers will be Grandsons: Jason, Josh, Larry Jr.,Todd Jr. White, Lester Bryant, James Callahan, Steve Grand and Mike Kontoulas. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Bluff Park United Methodist Church Building Fund, 733 Valley Street, Hoover, AL 35226. Currie-Jefferson Funeral Home directing.