Shirley A. White

The world became a little brighter on September 13, 1937, when Shirley Ann Wheatley was born to James Byron and Edna B. (DeVoll) Wheatley. On the morning of December 16, 2024, that light dimmed with her passing, leaving behind a legacy of love, generosity, and resilience.

Shirley was smart, giving, and headstrong-qualities that defined her throughout her life. On April 18, 1954, she embraced the adventure of marrying the delightfully ornery Van White. Their marriage spanned 64 years until his passing in 2018.

Van and Shirley prided themselves on bettering the community in which they lived. Throughout her life in Sedalia, Shirley was determined to make others feel welcome and supported. A hostess of Sedalia's Welcome Wagon and a volunteer at Meals on Wheels and Community Cafe, Shirley was a champion for countless local causes. As a charter member of the Beta Sigma Phi sorority, Shirley held numerous leadership positions over the decades and formed lifelong bonds with her sorority sisters, which she cherished deeply. Much of her time was also dedicated to the Sedalia Women's Auxiliary Shrine Club where she chaired numerous committees, always with the goal of leaving a lasting impact to help support children in need. Additionally, she was an active member of First Christian Church, where she led the Women's Group with the same passion and purpose that guided her life.

In her quieter moments, Shirley could often be found camping or curled up with a good book, getting lost in endless stories to explore. Her creativity and imagination were boundless as she always had a novel nearby or a poem of her own in progress, weaving her thoughts into verse.

Although she leaves this world, her legacy continues on through her children, Cindy Lyon (Dennis) of Lee's Summit, Tonya Borland (Matt) of Sedalia, and Byron White (Danielle) of Shawnee, Kansas; her beloved grandchildren Dana Crawford, Patrick Crawford, Julie Seiz, Cassie White, and Aaron White; and four great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother Jimmy (Sharon) Wheatley and sister Cathy (Bill) Meredith.

Shirley lived a life full of chapters-some fictional through her books, but many written in the lives of the people she touched, the family she loved, and the community she empowered. Though she will be deeply missed by those she leaves behind, her family is comforted by the thought of those who left before her excitedly awaiting her at Heaven's gates with a scotch and water in hand to celebrate.

While Shirley enjoyed flowers, her true wish would be for donations in her memory to make a lasting impact. Her family suggests contributing to Sedalia First Christian Church or dropping off books to your local schools' libraries. Shirley would be overjoyed to know her legacy inspires comfort, faith, and joy.

A celebration of life service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Monday, December 23, 2024, at Rea Funeral Chapel with Rev. Dr. Chad McMullin officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the chapel. Inurnment will be at 3:00 p.m. at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Higginsville. Arrangements are under the direction of Rea Funeral Chapel.