May 20, 1932–April 19, 2024
Written by Jodi Hughes
“Strength and honor are her clothing; she shall rejoice in time to come.” —Proverbs 31:25 NKJV
On Fri., Apr. 19, 2024, after a beautiful, warm spring day in Silverhill, Alabama, Mary Evalyn Runyan White, just shy of ninety-two years old, left this world behind and stepped into her savior’s arms. She was enveloped in love, surrounded, and comforted by her daughter and two granddaughters.
Evalyn was born on May 20, 1932, in South Bend, Indiana, to Roy Edwin and Mary Irene Runyan. The family moved to Foley, Alabama, in 1936, and Evalyn graduated in 1950 from Foley High School, where she was a cheerleader, member of the Beta Club and the annual staff, and voted the most popular girl in her senior class. She married Pete White in Aug. 1953, and they recently celebrated their seventieth wedding anniversary. Evalyn began working at Baldwin Mutual Insurance Company as a claims processor in 1968 and retired in 2002.
Her favorite hobbies were messing around in the yard—hers and her daughter’s—tending to various flowers and plants, sewing, reading, and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren who knew her as Nanny.
Adored by everyone who met her, Evalyn was a precious, beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who dedicated the last thirty-eight years of her life to loving her three grandchildren. She was kind and compassionate, a faithful woman who loved the Lord, a dutiful wife, a lover of flowers and beauty, surprisingly funny and strong—she was everything the Proverbs 31 woman is described to be. Her loss is a heavy, bittersweet one that breaks our hearts, yet we know she is at peace, no longer suffering, and overjoyed to be reunited with her parents, husband, son, great-granddaughter, and numerous friends.
In addition to her parents, Evalyn was preceded in death by her husband, Dewey Edward “Pete” White; son, Donald Edward White; great-granddaughter, Evelyn Grace Kubicz; and brothers, Burton Edwin Runyan and Kenneth Ray Runyan. She is survived by her daughter, Gloria Kucera (Mitch); grandchildren, Gerald W. “Jared” Hughes III, Jodi Hughes, and Jasmyn Kubicz (Stephen); great-grandchildren, Layla Anne Kubicz, Jackson Lee Kubicz, and Weston James Kubicz; sister-in-law, Mildred Runyan; and many nieces and nephews.
The family extends their warmest gratitude to the Gentiva hospice nurses and aides who cared for Evalyn, especially Lilly, Libby, and Morgan. We are also extremely grateful for Brenda Wheeler, who spent many days with both Evalyn and Pete keeping them company, driving them to doctor appointments and restaurants, and caring for them over the last few years.
For family and friends who wish to pay their respects, a graveside service will be held at Pine Rest in Foley, Alabama, at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 25. To honor Evalyn, the family asks guests not to wear black but instead to wear colorful attire, preferably with flower patterns.
In lieu of condolence flowers, the family has requested donations for Gentry Garrett, a four-year-old boy living with and battling hypoplastic left heart syndrome, the congenital heart disease that stole our beloved Evelyn Grace before her third birthday. Donations can be made through Cash App: @angelpieeee; PayPal: bstangel101@hotmail.com; or by mailing a check to Gloria Kucera (22685 West Blvd, Silverhill, AL 36576) who will give it to Gentry’s mother.
