Vivian Lee White

Vivian Lee White was born in St. Louis MO on December 9th, 1946, to Lee Andrew Neely and Emma Mae Bailey. She was the oldest child of four Joe Neely, David Martin, and Donald Martin. She departed this life on Saturday September 24, 2022, at UC Davis Medical Center.

Vivian graduated from Vashon High School where she was a member of the Thespian society and track team. She held the leading role in a play called “The Whole Town is Talking”. She was also voted most talkative in the school superlatives. She went on to continue her education at Delta College where she studied Electron Microscopy. She also obtained her teaching credentials, and taught Black History in Oakland, CA. In addition, she worked in many roles in the medical field.

She wed her husband Gilbert Leo White II who served in the United States Army, and moved to Oakland California in 1976.

She was one of the first women longshoreman for the port of Stockton. She was also the creator of a non- profit organization called the African American Teenage Female Academy where they served their local community by participating in camping, and teaching young women the ways of the world. She donated much of her free time as a foster parent where she received a plethora of awards.

She leaves, to cherish her precious memories, eight daughters Sharon Renee Johson Neely, Lisa Dawn Long-Arkoh, Erica Nicole Hagens, Brena Yvonne Hagens, Britt Elizabeth Smallwood, Regina Ann Springs, Jasmine Gilbert and Amber Weaver. Four sons Robert Springs, Dale Shawn Mitchell, Tervell White and Robert White. She had 22 grandchildren and a host of great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her two brothers David and Donald Martin and her three great grandchildren Ashane Spivey, Cody Spivey Jr. and Jream Smith

Friends are welcome to attend a Funeral Service at 2:00 pm on Tuesday, October 4, 2022 at East Lawn Elk Grove Mortuary, 9189 E. Stockton Blvd., Elk Grove CA.

A Committal Service will be held at 10:45 am on Tuesday, October 11, 2022 at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, 2900 Sheridan Road, St. Louis, MO.