Louie Peeples White

Louie Peeples White, 89, of Valdosta, passed away on August 12, 2009 at the Heritage Health Care of Valdosta. Louie was born on January 27, 1920 in Huntington, West Virginia to Russell A. and Ethel Orr Peeples. Her family originated in Valdosta and her ancestors were early pioneers of the area. Louie was a 1937 honor graduate of Valdosta High School, where she was a cheerleader for the 1936 VHS Wildcat football team. She continued to cheer for the community throughout her life. She was also a 1941 graduate of Georgia State Women's College, now Valdosta State, where she received a degree in art. She was named a Campus Star by the faculty and was elected to the Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities.
Louie served with the American Red Cross in England and Occupied Germany during World War II. In 1947, she married Arthur W. White, who became a correspondent for Time Magazine; they made their homes in places such as Ottawa, Washington D.C., and London. While abroad and throughout her lifetime, Louie worked for friendship and understanding with women of all nations. She was active in civic affairs in all communities where she lived. Louie was a main organizer of the "Valdosta Party" in Washington D.C., where she lived for 17 years. The annual gathering was for Valdostans living in the area and coincided with the yearly Valdosta/Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce's visit to the Capital.
Louie Peeples White and her husband returned to Valdosta in 1987. She served as president of the Valdosta Civic Roundtable, the Valdosta Heritage Foundation, and the Lowndes County Historical Society.
Louie was instrumental or involved in bringing about: an Arts Center, as well as a Cultural Arts Guild for the Arts Center; a Theatre Guild; renovation and restoration of the former Carnegie Library building, home to the Lowndes County Historical Museum; the stabilization of the Roberts House, the oldest home in Valdosta; National Historic Registration status for several Valdosta properties; a Georgia Historic Resource Survey of Lowndes County; the formation of the Bring Back Hats Club, of which she was Top Hat; as well as the working together of various and numerous local organizations for the benefit of Valdosta and Lowndes County.
In addition, Louie was an Honorary Trustee of the VSU Foundation. She was also the recipient of the Inaugural Valdosta Times Edith D. Smith Super Citizen Award. In December 2007, the Valdosta Civic Roundtable inaugurated the Louie Peeples White Award for Outstanding Community Service, of which she was the first recipient.
In November 2000, as a tribute to her dedicated promotion of Valdosta, "Lake Louie," at the Rainwater Conference Center was named in her honor. Through Lake Louie, visitors to Valdosta will always have her greeting.
She was also a supporter of the Quitman/Brooks County Museum and Cultural Center, especially their Midnight Sun Charity House Show and Festival.
Louie is survived by her twin sister, Eliza Peeples McLemore and brother-in-law Dan of Griffin, Georgia; by nieces, nephews, cousins, and caring friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur W. White, half-sister, Rosella Brantley McCall, and half-brother, M.W. Brantley.
At the request of the deceased, there will be a private burial at Sunset Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Lowndes County Historical Society, P.O. Box 56, Valdosta, GA 31603 or the Valdosta Heritage Foundation, P.O. Box 1792, Valdosta, GA 31603.
Condolences to the family may be conveyed online at www.mclanefuneralservices.com Carson McLane Funeral Home.


Funeral Home:
Carson McLane Funeral Home
2215 North Patterson Street
Valdosta, GA
US 31602