Vernice L. White, age 102, of Miles City, MT passed away on Wednesday, January 27, 2010 at her home in Miles City.
Vernice was born in Quinlan, Oklahoma on October 10, 1907, the daughter of August John and Susan Elizabeth (Ward) Lahann. She grew up and attended school in Fargo, Oklahoma and then attended Alva College in Alva, Oklahoma where she received her teaching certificate. She began teaching in Ellis County, Oklahoma. Vernice married Fred A. "Bill" White on April 20, 1927 in Arnett, Oklahoma. Following their marriage, they moved to Pampa, Texas and then to Gage, Oklahoma where they farmed. They later moved to Fargo, OK then to Philip, SD where she taught and later graduated from Black Hills State University. While in South Dakota and Wyoming, she accumulated 46 years in her teaching career. They made their home in Aladdin, Wyoming where she enjoyed their home, gardening and their pets. She helped write the Crook County History Book, a subject she truly loved and continued taking history courses into her late 70's. Following the death of Bill, she moved to Spearfish, South Dakota in 1985 and in 1995, she moved to Miles City where she had made her home since.
Vernice is survived by two daughters: Wildene Fortune of Miles City, MT; and Karen (Blayne) Pummel of Spearfish, SD; a daughter-in-law, Joann (Hugh) Hart of Apache Junction, CO; fourteen grandchildren, twenty six great grandchildren, and eleven great great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband Fred in 1985, two sons, Phillip and Robert; two granddaughters: Denise Fortune and Shelly Longfox; a grandson, Todd Fortune; a grandson-in-law, Bill Pauley; a great granddaughter, Abby Jo Michal; a brother, and four sisters.
Visitation will be held on Friday, January 29, 2010 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 30, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Interment will be held on Monday, February 1, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at the Rose Hill Cemetery in Spearfish, SD.
Arrangements are entrusted to Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home of Miles City, MT and Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapels & Crematory Service of Spearfish, SD. Online condolences may be written at www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the Miles City Library or the charity of ones choice.