Anna Ruth (Thompson) White

Anna Ruth White, age 97, of Centralia, Illinois, passed away at 12:42 P.M. on Sunday, May 30, 2021, at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital in Centralia, Illinois.  She was born on March 14, 1924, in Centralia, Illinois, the daughter of William and Mary (Dykstra) Thompson.  She married Billy Jack White on July 27, 1941, in Saint Charles, Missouri and he preceded her in death on January 1, 1993.                                                     

Mrs. White is survived by her daughter, Mary Kathryn Pearce of Centralia, Illinois; sons, Billy Jack White, Jr. and wife Jane of Wentzville, Missouri and Roger Eugene White and friend Carol of St. Cloud, Florida; grandchildren, Rick Pearce and wife Tracy, Gary Pearce and wife Marcia, Cindy Hayes and husband David, Jason White, Jamison White and wife Alyssa, Dr. Johnathon White and wife Toni, Andy White and wife Leanny, and Danny White and friend Jessica; great-grandchildren; Chris Philyaw and wife Kathryn, Lacy Olson, Holly Philyaw, Kyle Pearce and wife Jessica, Cassie Zimmer and husband Dallas, Jared Pearce and wife Sarah, Shea Pearce, Quinton White and fiancée Kelly, Danielle Bopp, Alyssa White, Trevor Huck, Brianna Huck, Tessa White, Teegan White, Anya White, Isabella White, and Maya White; great-great-grandchildren, Atticus Pearce, Sawyer Pearce, Kaleigh Zimmer, Jordan Pearce, Jack Pearce, Avery Philyaw, Freya Olson, Dean Olson, Lucas Pratt, Grayson Pratt, and Konner Turner; and sisters, Stella “Tootie” Wilson of Woodlawn, Illinois, Helen Thorpe of Mount Vernon, Illinois, and Mary Douthit of Mount Vernon, Illinois; many nieces and nephews; and a very special friend, Alan Abney of Centralia, Illinois.

In addition to her husband of 51 years, Mrs. White was preceded in death by her parents, William Thompson and Mary Thompson; son-in-law, Richard Pearce; daughter-in-law, Bonny Pearce; brothers, Joe Thompson, John Thompson, Raymond Thompson, Pete Thompson and George Thompson; and sisters, Lucy Buehne, Jennie Schubach, and Lillie Mae White.                  

Mrs. White was a member of the New Harmony Missionary Baptist Church in Centralia, Illinois for 68 years, where she was a Sunday school teacher for 13 years.  After the church’s closing, she joined Sandoval Baptist Church in Sandoval, Illinois.  Mrs. White enjoyed sewing.  She loved to listen to the St. Louis Cardinals baseball games, and Centralia High School’s Orphans’ and Orphan Annies’ basketball games.  Mrs. White cherished the time she spent with her family, she worshiped her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.  She worried about her family, and as a devote Christian she prayed for them from her heart constantly.

Mrs. White was a homemaker and housewife.  Earlier in life, she was an inspector at Miss Elaine’s Dress Factory in Centralia, Illinois, material inspector at Woolworths in Centralia, Illinois and inspector at Gay Gibson’s Dress Factory in Centralia, Illinois.  She lived most of her life in Centralia, Illinois.

A Funeral Service for Mrs. Anna Ruth White will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, June 4, 2021, at Moran Queen-Boggs Funeral Home in Centralia, Illinois with Reverend Rick Pearce officiating.  Interment will follow in Hillcrest Memorial Park near Centralia, Illinois.  Family and friends are asked to meet with Mrs. White’s family from 9:30 A.M. until the time of services at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, June 4, 2021, at the funeral home. The family asks those who are attending to please be mindful of social distancing, wear a mask, and take any health precautions necessary to ensure a healthy environment. Memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. White’s honor to the Sandoval Baptist Church in Sandoval, Illinois and will be received by the Moran Queen-Boggs Funeral Home in Centralia, Illinois.  Please view the online obituary, send condolences or share memories with Mrs. White’s family at www.moranfuneralhome.net or on the funeral home’s Facebook page.

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