Mother Florine White

Florine Taylor White, lovingly known as “Mother White,” entered eternal rest on March 11, 2026, at the age of 82, in Ridgeland, South Carolina. Her life was a testimony of faith, strength, resilience, and unwavering love for family and community.

Mother White was born on February 11, 1944, in Eads, Tennessee, to the late Fred Jones and Wardie Lee Allen Taylor. She was raised in Shelby County, Tennessee and attended Shelby County Schools, graduating from Woodstock High School in 1962.

As a young woman in 1967, Florine relocated to Far Rockaway, New York, where she met the love of her life, George White. They married in October 1968, and together shared many years of marriage until his passing in 1992. From their union came two daughters, Demetria Annette Guest and Tisha Lynn Watson. Mother White was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and matriarch whose guidance shaped generations.

She built a career dedicated to caring for others. For more than 20 years, she worked as a shop steward and nurse under the 1199 Union for Brookhaven Rehabilitation Center and Seagirt Rehab Center, providing comfort and compassion to countless patients and families. Her nurturing spirit and commitment to helping others made her beloved by many.

Mother White was a woman of deep and abiding faith. For over 20 years, she was a faithful and devoted member of Outreach to the Unreached Deliverance Center in Santee, South Carolina under the direction of Apostle LeGrand Ingram, where she served God and her community with dedication and love. In 2014, she also became a member of Solid Rock Outreach Ministries in Holly Hill, South Carolina under the direction of Bishop Donald C. Howell, continuing her commitment to worship, fellowship, and service until her passing.

Throughout her life, she was known for her no-nonsense personality paired with a heart of gold. One of her favorite things to do was bake and sell her famous lemon meringue, pecan and sweet potato pies for church. You could find her humming her favorite hymn every second of every hour. She believed strongly in family unity and instilled in her children and grandchildren the values of faith, loyalty, and unconditional love. She often reminded them never to turn their backs on one another and always to keep the Lord first. To her family, she was not only a mother and grandmother but the glue and strength of the White family.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, George White; her daughter, Demetria Annette Guest, her son Arthur White her siblings; Lue P. Ball, Ivory Lee Taylor and Louis T. Frazier and her parents, stepfather Richard Taylor and her beloved Mother, Wardie Lee Allen Taylor.

Mother White leaves to cherish her precious memory her loving daughter, Tisha Lynn Watson and caring son-in-law who cared for her throughout her sickness, Raymond L Watson both of Ridgeland, SC.

ten grandchildren whom she loved dearly:
Shaquona (Jamel) James of Eutawville, SC;
Ebony Guest of Orangeburg, SC;
Rasheda Guest of the home;
Tarique Guest of Santee, SC;
Rashod Warren of the home; Tiffany Watson of Columbia, SC; Kanesha (Keivon) Washington of Charlotte, NC;
Chevnique Warren of Columbia, SC;
Ikera (Mario) Davis of Ladson, SC and Quincy Sims of Leesville, SC;

She also leaves behind a legacy of 16 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great-grandchildren, who were among her greatest joys.

Mother White is also survived by her siblings: Curtis (Darlene) Taylor of Grand Rapids, MI; Hurbert (Mary Staten) Taylor of Grand Rapids, MI; Idella (Albert) Williams of Grand Rapids, MI; Rosie Baker of Grand Rapids, MI; Brenda (Gregory) Lee of Far Rockaway, NY; Shelly Taylor of Leland, NC; James Earl Jones of Chicago, IL; Margie McClain of Greenwood, MS; along with a host of nieces, nephews, extended family members, church family, and friends who will deeply miss her presence.

Mother White’s life was a powerful example of faith, perseverance, love, and strength. She leaves behind a legacy that will continue to live on through the many lives she touched. Though she will be greatly missed, her family finds comfort in knowing that her love, wisdom, and prayers will remain with them forever.

A testimony of her faith in her Lord was her sincere prayer request, “Lord give me a few days” and he granted her four more months! Matthew 25:23, Her master replied, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!”

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