Nelli M. (Gray) White, of Freetown, was called to her heavenly home on the early morning of June 14, 2024, at Autumn Trace of Seymour.  She was 95.

Born on August 4,1928, she was the daughter of Florin Smith and Ruthe Smith Helton who both preceded her in death. She had two sisters, Iolene and Esta Smith who both preceded her in death. Neelie attended elementary school In Medora. She loved telling stories of the Terrell farm where she grew up through the Great Depression.

On September 8, 1945, in Brownstown, Nellie was united in marriage to Joseph C. Gray, who preceded her in death on July 5, 1984. This union of 38 years was blessed with three children, a son Steven W., and two daughters, Janice and Jane. Steve preceded on December 17, 2008. Nellie married Donald E. White on June 2, 1989, and he preceded her on May 13, 2013. She was a devoted wife, loving mother and Grandma.

Nellie and Joe served in the capacity of Matron and Sheriff of Jackson County from 1970 until 1974. She was a lifelong member of the Ratcliff Grove Christian Church and a lifetime member of the VFW Women’s Auxiliary. Nellie provided services to the elderly in Jackson County for many years through the Area Agency on Aging. 

She is survived by her daughters, Janice Gray Rose of Freetown and Jane Gray Baker and her companion Gary Fitch of Seymour, five grandchildren, Chad Steven and his wife Chris of Seymour, Jeremy Shane Gray of Seymour, Angela Smith of Freetown, Sheila Ann Richards of Seymour, and Kris Leann Meyer of Columbus, five great-grandchildren Phoebe Gray, Jenna Gray, Kayla Fish, Makenzie Meyer and Blaine Meyer.

A graveside memorial service will be conducted at Fairview Cemetery on Friday June 21, 2024, at 11:00 am with Lester Urbain officiating.

Memorials may be written in Nellie’s name to the Agency of Aging.

Final wishes have been entrusted to Zabel Funeral Home of Brownstown.