Hope June White

Hope June Blackburn White, age 81, of Pikeville, Ky. passed away at her home on January 17, 2023. Hope was born on December 1, 1941, in Letcher County, Ky. (Neon), to her parents the late Moscoe Blackburn and Rose Roberts Tuttle. Hope was the widow of Nolan White and a lifelong member of the Neon First Church of God, and attending her first church service at just six days of age. She passed peacefully from this life, after declining health over the past few years, making her stay here on Earth eighty one years, one month, and sixteen days. She was a member of the Women of the Church of God. She was a faithful Christian and was baptized in 1982. In 2017, she moved to live with her daughter in Pikeville after becoming more ill. She regularly attended Cowpen Freewill Baptist Church making many friends in Christ. Hope was a 1961 graduate of Fleming-Neon Highschool and a 1963 graduate of Amarillo Beauty School in Texas. She worked as a beautician at Yonts Beauty Shop for several years, she also worked as a secretary at the Academy in Neon for several years. Hope married Nolan White, on June 28th, 1966, in Clintwood, Virginia. To this loving union, two children were born, a son, Jay and a daughter, Tara. They were married forty-two years before Nolan passed away. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and a son, Jay Travis White. Affectionately, known as Mom, Gran, Gran-Gran, and Hopie she was the matriarch of the family. When her health was better, she could be found in the kitchen making delicious meals for her family. Hope was the life of the party, you could not visit with Hope without getting a laugh while you were there. She had a special group of friends, The Golden Girls, group who met for birthday and celebrations at the Pine Mountain Grill before she grew too ill to attend. She also enjoyed attending Fleming-Neon Senior Citizens Center before its closing. Hope is survived by her daughter, Tara (Dewayne) Thornsbury of Pikeville, Kentucky, four grandsons, Travis White of Harold, Kentucky, David (Tammy) White of Pikeville, Kentucky, Luke Thornsbury of Pikeville, Kentucky and Ryan Thornsbury of Richmond, Kentucky. Also a granddaughter, Sydni Thornsbury of Pikeville, Kentucky, two great granddaughters, Sophia White of Pikeville, Kentucky and Scarlett White of Wise, Virginia, a daughter-in-law, Pam White of Jenkins, Kentucky. She is also survived by several brothers and sisters in Christ and a host of friends and family members who will greatly mourn her passing. Visitation will be Friday, January 20, 2023, at 5:00 PM at the Neon First Church of God, with church services at 7:00 PM. Funeral service will be Saturday, January 21, 2023, at 1:00 PM at the Neon First Church of God with Mark Wagner and Estill Reed officiating. Burial will follow in the Green Acres Memorial Garden in Whitesburg, Kentucky. Pallbearers include: Travis White, David White, Luke Thornsbury, Ryan Thornsbury, Billy Lamont, Jason Phillips, Riley Phillips and Ashton Phillips.