Mildred Lavernis White

Mildred Lavernis Duckett White of Kennesaw, GA, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, transitioned peacefully into eternal life at age 86 on Sunday, November 8, 2020. Mildred was born on November 25, 1933, in Philadelphia, PA to Lee & Marylou Shannon Duckett. She was the second eldest of 5 siblings, to whom she was sweetly and lovingly known as ¨Sissie¨. An eternal optimist, she spent her early career years as a teacher and social service worker in the Philadelphia area. There, she met her late husband Henry, with whom she started her family & welcomed their two sons, Philip & Rodger. Mildred and her family moved to Decatur, Georgia in 1978 and firmly planted roots there. She became a dedicated member of the Atlanta community and embarked upon a second career in the hospitality industry, reaching executive status before retiring in 2004. Even after she retired, she remained a ¨people-person¨. Mildred maintained an active & engaged civic life and volunteered for the myriad of causes that were dear to her heart. She called The North Cobb Senior Center in Acworth, GA her ¨home away from home¨. As a dedicated member of her senior center, she remained a tireless advocate for her community. She served on several committees and in various executive positions during her time there, including Site Council VP, Parliamentarian & ¨Social Butterflies¨ member. On National Senior Citizen Day, August 21, 2020, the NCSC & Senior Citizen Council of Cobb County honored her efforts, awarding her the Senior Citizen's Council 2020 Life Achievement Award. In addition to her senior advocacy work, Mildred was a lifelong participant in local, state, and national politics, ultimately serving on the 2020 Senior Voter's Registration Training Sessions at her center in preparation for this year's all-important elections. When not at her senior center, Mildred spent her time as a beloved resident of the Highland Senior Apartment community in Kennesaw, GA, where was well-liked and actively engaged in the lives of her friends and neighbors. Her active social calendar there kept her busy with painting, reading, arts & crafts. She loved classic black and white movies, was always lucky at Bingo, and remained an enthusiastic player and frequent winner among her beloved circle of friends. Her heart even extended to the family of the four-legged kind. Mildred loved animals and made several pups and kitties part of her family over the years. Mildred's love for all of her family and friends will remain in our hearts forever. She was preceded into eternity by her late husband, Henry, their son Philip and beloved family pets Kizzie, Binta, and Trixie. She is survived by her son Rodger, daughter-in-law Bobbie, and their son, her beloved grandson, Robert, all of Acworth, GA; Sisters Julia (Harold), Nona and brother Ronnie (Evelyn), all of Pennsylvania & brother Joseph, of California, and a host of nieces, nephews and loving family.