Jess Russell White

Jess Russell White, 94, of Jonesboro, Arkansas passed from this life on June 16, 2023. He was born in Williamsburg, Kentucky, January 30, 1929.
Dr. White graduated from Williamsburg High School, where he played on the basketball and baseball teams.
He was a member of Williamsburg’s basketball team that won the Thirteenth Regional Tournament to play in the State Tournament in Louisville, losing in the first round to Breckenridge Academy, the eventual winner of the tournament. Some other members of the team were Scottie Perkins, Johnny Renfro, Bob Petrey, Sis Smith, Charles Watson and Harold Browning.
He held degrees from Cumberland College (now the University of the Cumberlands), Eastern Kentucky University, and Indiana University.
Dr. White held university faculty appointments in Georgia and Kentucky. During this time, he authored the first and second editions of Sports Rules Encyclopedia.
In 1968 Dr. White joined the faculty of Arkansas State University as professor of physical education, a position he filled for the next 21 years until his retirement in 1989. During this time, Dr. White also served as Chair of the Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation and President of the Faculty Senate. In 2010, Dr. White was among the first group of faculty members to be added to the university’s Wall of Fame honoring distinguished faculty. Dr. White was a long-time member of First Baptist Church in Jonesboro, where he also served as a deacon, Chair of the Board of Deacons as well as a Sunday School teacher.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Martha and Otis White of Williamsburg, KY; brother, Elbert White of Oak Ridge, TN; and sister, Orene White Lawson of Cincinnati, OH. Dr. White was also preceded in death by his first wife, Dorothy Siler White, originally of Williamsburg, KY; and by his second wife, Janet Dunn Bowman White, originally of Lake Village, AR.
Surviving are Dr. White’s three daughters, Nancy (Kevin) Coriden of Olathe, Kansas, and their children Ellen (Nik) Bergstrom and Sam Coriden; Martha (Jeff) Rettig of Kansas City, Missouri, and their daughters, Kate Rettig (Chad Tysdahl) and Megan Rettig (Tim Brooks); and Cynthia (Steve) Brown of Pensacola, Florida, and their daughters, Kristin (Matt) Backus and Laura (Danny) Albritton; and five great-grandchildren.
He is also survived by Jan’s children, Chery Cratty and George Bowman, both of Smithville, Tennessee; and his brother-in-law, Judge Eugene Siler, and sister-in-law, Chris Siler of Williamsburg, Kentucky.
A memorial service was held on Tuesday, June 20, in the sanctuary of First Baptist Church, Jonesboro, AR. Graveside service took place on Saturday, July 8, in the Highland Cemetery, Williamsburg, KY.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Magnolia Road Baptist Church, Jonesboro, AR, for the benefit of either the Friends and Neighbors Network or the Diaper Bank.
Croley Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.