Mr. Rodney Leigh White

God in His infinite wisdom called, Rodney Leigh White into His loving care on August 31, 2022. Rodney was born on December 9, 1958, to the late Samuel Manuel and Bernice Quince-Washington White. He was also preceded in death by two brothers, Gerald Emanuel White and Vann Cedric White along with one sister, Carol Jean White. Rodney had an intense love and caring for family and friends such that he became a surrogate father to many. Additionally, Rodney has been adopted by many as loving and thoughtful son as he served community with his gifts, talent, meals and caring sense of humor. Rodney graduated from E.A. Laney High School and Cape Fear Technical College in Wilmington, NC. Rodney accepted the Lord at an early age at Fifth Avenue Baptist Church, Wilmington, NC where he was baptized. Rodney was a committed member serving on the Usher Board and Choir. In November 2013, Rodney was blessed to have a double lung transplant at Duke University Hospital. His donor was Debbie Ahlquist Hall. As a result of this God ordained opportunity Rodney gained nine additional years of life and inherited a loving and unselfish extended family. His new donor family include mom, Arline Barber of Elkton, FL, sisters Laurie Mussonline (John) of East Palatka, FL. and Leslie Pajor of Southington, CT. When Rodney met this dynamic donor family there was an immediate connection building a close and loving relationship. Rodney volunteered to assist and mentor others in the lung transplant program. His mentorship led Rodney to be featured in several publications related to the Lung Transplant Foundation. Rodney is survived by a loving devoted wife, Constance Gaines Mallette-White, three daughters, Letrica Nixon-Washington, Dynetta White, Chenetta Mallette and one son Rodney Leigh White, Jr.: his grandchildren Mekhi Nixon, Tristyne Washington and Priya Farrior. He will be sorely missed by his siblings, sisters, Sheryn Jiggetts of Brooklyn, NY; Beverly Swire (Paul)of Virginia Beach, Va; Jacquelyn Hargett (Kenny) of Landover, Maryland; brothers, Samuel White III of Brooklyn, NY, and Louis White (Carolyn) of Washington, DC, two special and devoted nephews, Darryl White (Nannette) of Silver Spring, Md and Kevin Gaines (Keica) of Kernersville, NC. Rodney’s surviving in-laws are mother-in-law, Veronice Gaines of the home, sisters-in-law, Audrey Clark of Wilmington, NC, Brenda Cook of Winston-Salem, NC, Linda Polk (George) of Winston-Salem, NC and brother's in-law, Carl Van Lovette of High Point, NC and Robert Gaines of Kernersville, NC. Two special god daughters, LaTiffanie Davis (Lenardo) of Winston-Salem, NC and Jacqueline Jenkins of Kernersville, NC and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends. Rodney is also survived by his wonderful friends and caregivers at Duke University Hospital, Lung Transplant Team and Nursing Staff on the 7800-hospital wing. Extreme acknowledgement to Dr. John Reynolds, Duke Lung Transplant Team who served as a primary medical caregiver and more importantly a trusted friend. We are thankful for the Trellis Supportive Care Team that assisted in caring for Rodney during his final days at home surrounded by loving family and friends. It would have been difficult to travel this journey without the care and loyal support of these professionals. A public viewing will be held Monday September 5, 2022, from 1pm until 4pm at Douthit's. Funeral services will be held Tuesday September 6, 2022, at 1pm from Galilee Missionary Baptist Church with Bishop Sheldon McCarter officiating and interment will follow September 9, 2022, in Greenlawn Memorial Park, 1311 Shipyard Blvd, Wilmington, NC 2814. Arrangements are in the care of Douthit Funeral Services.

Tributes

Mr. Rodney Leigh White

December 9, 1958 - August 31, 2022