Donald Ray White

Donald Ray “Don”White, died March 29, 2025, surrounded by family at his home in Sparkman, Arkansas.

Don was born in Tinsman, AR February 24,1935, to Ray Douglas White and Alverda Fore White. Don was a devoted Christian and attended Sparkman First Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon for many years. His entire career he worked in the lumber business with his dad Ray, his son Donny & his grandson Joseph.

Don is survived by his son Donny White and his wife Christie of Sparkman, and his daughter, Diane White Brown &her husband Chris Brown of Waco Texas. He has seven grandchildren & three great grandchildren who he loved dearly. He is also survived by his brother, John White and wife Joy of Little Rock, sister-in-law Sarah Lonquist of St. Petersburg, FL and many nieces & nephews. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Martha Barber White, his parents Ray & Alverda White and his sister Jane Johnson.

Don loved all sports. Much of his childhood was spent in Pine Bluff, AR where he grew up playing baseball, basketball and football at the Boys Club there. His family moved to Sparkman in 1945, and Don was chosen for the All-State team in basketball his senior year. Don continued to play college sports when he attended Baylor University, playing point guard on the freshmen basketball team. His interests later turned to golf.His senior year he and his BU team won the Southwest Conference title and competed in the NCAA championship. Don found success and great friends in Baylor, but the most meaningful accomplishment that changed his life forever was finding the love of his life, his beloved Martha while attending there. They were happily married for 59 years until her death in 2017 from Alzheimer’s Disease.

Funeral services will be Friday April 4,2025, at 10:00 AM at Sparkman First Baptist Church, Sparkman, AR. Visitation will be Thursday April 3, 6:00 PM-8:00 PM at Benton Funeral Home in Fordyce, AR.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, P.O.Box 187, 213 S. Broadway Ave. Sparkman, AR 71763.

On behalf of Don, his family extends its heartfelt thanks to his amazing and dedicated caregivers and Lauren Franks, his devoted nurse practitioner who provided him with exceptional care.