Arnice J. White

Arnice J. White was born on December 18, 1934 in Ahoskie, North Carolina to Ella Mae (Riddick) and Gurnia Jenkins, Sr. She lived in Aulander, North Carolina where she grew up on a farm with her aunt and uncle after the unexpected passing of her father. Arnice would quickly tell you she loved school because she didn't want to stay home to work on the farm and it showed in her academic excellence. She later graduated from Robert L. Vann High School as class valedictorian. During her school years, she was known for her melodic voice as a member of the school choir and was equally a skilled basketball player. Following high school, she attended Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina with a full four-year scholarship in mathematics. She was a college beauty queen and pledged the historically Black sorority Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. She later moved to Washington, DC where she married and gave birth to two girls Brenda (Raiford) Waters, and Sonya (Raiford) Allen. Eventually, she settled in Portsmouth, Virginia where she remarried and gave birth to her son Sean White. Arnice had a long and varied career with the U. S. Government. She started as a secretarial administrator and moved to head of the custodial staff, and later retired as an accounting administrator. Her complementary career was one of the most skilled and talented clothing makers in the area. She learned to sew at an early age and was a master with textiles and fabrics. She sewed for family, friends, and strangers alike and was sought after by many to create some of the most beautiful and flattering frocks ever made. She used her talents working for herself and other tailoring establishments to create items like school band uniforms, pageant dresses, clothing for entertainers, exquisite wedding dresses, and men's suits and home decor. After retirement, she enjoyed watching her favorite television shows and sports, going to the movies, and eating out with friends and family. While she was dedicated to her career, family, and raising her children, to know her meant to know her true passion was loving people. No one was a stranger and her home and heart was open to many who still today call her mother, like a mother, a second mother, Mama Niecie, and many other endearing names of love and respect. Over the years, numerous relatives, friends of her children, and her friends have lived with her when in need. She never turned a needy hand away no matter her own well-being. She understood the virtue of "do unto others as you would have others do unto you", and believed there is always enough to share because God will make a way. Arnice lived in Chesapeake, Virginia where she resided with her son and leaves behind a host of relatives and loves ones to remember her beauty. God in his unquestionable wisdom called our dear loved one, Arnice J. White home to rest on December 5, 2015. Her parents Ella Mae and Gurnia Jenkins, Sr., her brother Seclephas Jenkins, sister Ella Gertrude, and a daughter Brenda Waters preceded her in death. She leaves to cherish her memories her daughter Sonya Allen (Quincy), son Sean White, one grandson Myles Allen, one brother Gurnia Jenkins, Jr. (Mary), two sisters Ella Marie Watson and Clarise Ward, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives and loved ones.

Arnice J. White

December 18, 1934 - December 5, 2015