White, Elizabeth Phelps From the East Valley Tribune 9/18/08
 
Elizabeth Phelps White, 91 years of age, passed peacefully in her sleep on Sunday evening, September 14, 2008. She was born July 21, 1917 to Orson A. Phelps and Rebecca H. Allen Phelps in Mesa. Elizabeth attended Mesa Public Schools through high school. After high school, she won a music scholarship to Arizona State Teachers College (now Northern Arizona University) in Flagstaff, Arizona. There she graduated with a bachelors of art degree in music education and met her beloved husband John C. White. The Whites enjoyed 67 years of marriage. Elizabeth taught music in the Mesa Public schools for 26 years. Known by her choral students as "Mama White," she taught at East Mesa Jr. High, West Mesa Jr. High and then was asked to teach choral music at the newly built Westwood High School in 1963. She taught at Westwood for 17 years before retiring in 1979. She also presided over the Arizona Music Educators Association from 1979-1981 and was honored by that association as Music Educator of the Year in 1982. She was recognized by the Choral Directors of Arizona with their Lifetime Recognition Award in 2002. Elizabeth and John spent their retirement years with family, friends and traveling throughout the world. They served as full-time missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in New Zealand at the temple visitor's center for 18 months. Elizabeth is survived by her husband, their son, John C. White Jr. (Carol) of Mesa, and daughters, Kathy Egan (Robert) of Sandy, Utah and Debby Boyd (Gary) of Las Vegas, Nevada. They have 17 grandchildren and 38 great-grandchildren. There will be a graveside service at the City of Mesa Cemetery on Friday, September 19, 2008 for the family. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 20, 2008 at 9:30 AM at the L.D.S. Fairfield Ward chapel located at 4640 E. Holmes, Mesa, Arizona, 85206. The Whites request that in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in their behalf to the John C. and Elizabeth P. White Choral Vocal Scholarship, Foundation Fund #1228, at Northern Arizona University, P.O. Box 4094, Flagstaff, Arizona, 86011. Arrangements by Bunker's Garden Chapel, 480-964-8686. Sign the Guest Book at eastvalleytribune.com