Birdie Ruth White, 95, was welcomed into her heavenly home by her Lord and Savior on Saturday, February 6, 2021. A longtime Portsmouth resident, Birdie had resided at Concord Health & Rehab in Wheelersburg for more than ten years.
A daughter of the late Rev. Arthur and Marcella L. (Presley) Mathis, she was born May 24, 1925, in Portsmouth. Birdie married Rev. William Marion White in New Boston on June 28, 1947, and she was an integral part of his ministry until his death on February 11, 2003.
Birdie was a long-time member of the 7th Street Christian Baptist Church and she enjoyed attending church and playing bingo at Concord.
Surviving are two children, Larry Wayne (Lynn) White of Summit, AR and Rebecca Lynn (Lenny) Wheeler of Minford; two sisters, Brenda K. Coppock and Veronica “Ronnie” Payne, both of Troy; her former son-in-law and his wife, Danny (Sandy) Blevins of Stout; 14 grandchildren, Candace Kline, Sarah, Aaron, Chad, and Kayla White, Michelle Gubernath, Eric White, Chris Neu, Jason Blevins, Lori Radunovic, Joshua Blevins, Bill, Justin, and Tony Wheeler; and several great-grandchildren.
Birdie was also preceded in death by two children, Lonny Keith White and Ramona Blevins; and ten siblings, Marion Douglas “Duke” Mathis, James “Jim” Mathis, Donald Luther Mathis, Charles Curtis Mathis, Arthur “Art” Leroy Mathis, David Mathis, Ramona “Moe” Darlene Braden, and Donna, Clara, and Arthella Mathis.
Funeral services will be held at 3 P.M. Tuesday at the Ralph F. Scott Funeral Home in Portsmouth with Rev. Danny Blevins, Rev. Jason Blevins, and Josh Blevins officiating. Interment will follow in Sunset Memorial Gardens.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home one hour prior to services. Masks are required and must be worn properly and social distancing will be observed.
Birdie’s family is thankful for the compassionate care she received from the staff at Concord, whom Birdie loved and considered as family.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Birdie’s name to Sierra’s Haven for New & Used Pets, 80 Easter Dr., Portsmouth, OH 45662 and the Resident Activity Fund at Concord Health & Rehab Center, 1242 Crescent Dr. Wheelersburg, OH 45694.