Darvin Hubert White was born March 20, 1945 in Statesboro, Georgia to Darvin and Rita Ward White, who have preceded him in death. As a child, his family moved to Oxford, Georgia where he grew up. He was a 1963 graduate of Newton County High School where he excelled in track and field and was one of the state’s best in running the mile. After high school, he was accepted into the Lockheed engineering apprenticeship program where he graduated number one in his class. After working at Lockheed for a number of years, he decided to pursue his passion, and started his own home-building business in 1970. He had a natural talent for designing unique homes with exquisite details. He was a student of classic architecture and built homes that reflected that style with extraordinary trim and woodwork and the maximum use of space. As a builder, he built homes of every size and style, and developed countless subdivisions in Newton County. He was a true perfectionist and was fully devoted to each and every project he took on, working endless hours until he achieved his vision. His family and associates were often told “If it’s worth doing, it’s worth over-doing.” While growing his building business, he also became an entrepreneur, owning and operating several convenience stores, including White’s Superette and a video store in the 1980s. He also devoted years to the renovation of his personal home on Floyd Street. He painstakingly preserved much of the dilapidated antebellum home, restoring it to its original glory while adding on to it extensively. Restoring the Neal-Sanders-Ramsey-White home took enormous effort and was his dream home. As his building and development business grew over the years, he continued to plan and dream of what was next. He had a relentless pursuit of excellence in everything he did and never retired professionally.
In addition to his business ventures, he had a lifelong interest in politics. While in his twenties, he served on the Oxford City Council, and was the youngest person to do so at that time. He proudly served as a Newton County Commissioner from 1992-2000, and never missed a county meeting while in office. He developed close friendships with many of his fellow commissioners and with them he helped bring a tremendous amount of industry and growth to Newton County. Through his political interests, he was privileged to meet many dignitaries and politicians, including President George W. Bush. He was also very proud to have helped found and serve on the GRN (Gwinnett Rockdale Newton) Community Service Board and was always committed to helping people in recovery and mental health. He donated time and effort to Metro Atlanta Recovery Residences (MARR), even purchasing and renovating the “Women’s Recovery Center”.
Hubert had many passions. He loved fishing, dove and quail hunting, going to the beach and on cruises, and watching sports, especially the Atlanta Braves. For many years, he coached all three of his sons’ (Hugh, Scott and Austin) baseball teams and led several of them to championship tournaments, including a trip to the Dixie Boys World Series with his son, Hugh, in 1980. Without question he loved the beautiful game of baseball because it so closely resembles the “game” of life. Coaching gave him an opportunity to mentor, teach and encourage young people, which he loved to do.
Hubert was a larger than life character who lived life to the fullest. He was extremely passionate, talented, smart, opinionated, and always spoke his mind. Those who knew him well knew him to have a huge heart, a kind, generous and fun spirit, a big laugh, and a self-deprecating sense of humor. He was always grounded by his family and his unfailing faith in the blessed Trinity: God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. His pride and joy in life was his family, especially his wife Fay, his children and grandchildren. Words are inadequate to express how very much he loved his family and his heritage. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Darvin “Hugh” White.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Fay, and his children, Anna and Austin White, Scott White (and wife Elizabeth), Heather White-McClane (and husband Matt); Stepsons, Zach Thomason and Jacob Thomason (and wife Kelsey); Grandchildren, Tristan M. and Darvin “Cole” White, Irelyn and Evalee Thomason, Matthew and Madison McClane; his former wife, Linda Patterson (Charlie), Sister, Joyce Sullivan (Larry); Niece and nephew, Kristen Sullivan (Harry), and Justin Sullivan (Heather); Aunt and Uncles, Bobbie and Floy Thackston and Denver Ward, father-in-law Weldon Webster, brother-in-law John Webster (Patty), nieces Rachel Reis(Jeromy) Nanette Lanoue (Brad) nephew Daniel Webster (Elizabeth) great nieces Raelyn Reis, Piper Reis, Norah Reis and Freya Lanoue, as well as countless close friends and relatives.
The family offers an opportunity for those desiring to pay their respects between the hours of 12:00pm until 2:00pm on Wednesday, April 22, 2020, with a drive through visitation at Lawnwood Memorial Park, 1111 Access Road, Covington, GA 30014. You will pass in front of the Memory Chapel Mausoleum and express to the family your support with a wave or a kind gesture. In his memory please consider donating to MARR (www.marrinc.org /678-805-5140).
During this time of Covid 19/Coronavirus pandemic and social distancing requirements no one will be allowed to stop during this time. Please know that the family appreciates your prayers, kind thoughts, and considerations during this difficult time. Please leave your condolences and comments for the family at the Tribute Wall of this announcement. Arrangements are being handled by J.C. Harwell and Son Funeral Home, 2157 East Street, SE, Covington, GA 30014.
