Ouida Merle White

Ouida Merle White passed away peacefully on Monday, April 18, 2022, in Beaumont, Texas at age 82.

She was born in Woodville, Texas on August 21, 1939, to the late Henry Gordon Tucker and the late Edith Louise Tucker, the sixth child in a family of ten.  Ouida is preceded in death by her sisters, Dorothy, and Chloie, and her brothers Henry, Jerry and Alton.

Ouida married the late Glenn Wood White in 1959 and their union continued for a very happy 56 years until Glenn’s death in 2014.  They leave behind four children.

Growing up in Woodville she learned to play the piano, to crochet and how to sew.  She took piano lessons from a family friend paid for with eggs from the family farm and crocheted doilies that she created.  Her mother taught her the love and joy of cooking.  When she wasn’t crocheting or sewing you could bet she was cooking something wonderful!  Ouida graduated from Kirby High School in 1957 where she was a member of the band and played french horn.  Ouida then attended Chenier Business School.  She was a member of Campground Baptist Church in Woodville, Texas, throughout her life where she recently served as the pianist.

Ouida was a long-time resident of Vidor, Texas.  She worked at Oakwood Manor Nursing Home for 18 years as the administrative assistant.  After heart issues in 1997 she retired to become a full-time homemaker.  Ouida was a devoted mother and wife. While she enjoyed spending her time cooking, crocheting and playing the piano, most of all she loved spending time with her husband and family.  She and Glenn raised crops, had chickens and both loved music.  Ouida not only played the piano for Campground Church in Woodville, but she and Glenn together sang old gospel hymns, always drawing a crowd.  They were always working together whether it be on music, or building on their home and they were always inseparable.  Glenn called their union “almost perfect harmony”, and it was.

Ouida is survived by her children Glenda and Philip Schlimper of Katy, Texas, Gayland and Jodie White of Vidor, Texas, Greta and Dennis Welch of Vidor, Texas and Gina and Stephen Wolfe, of Kingwood, Texas.  She is also survived by her precious grandchildren Richard and Megan White of Bridge City, Texas, Kimberly and Dustin Ainsworth of Vidor, Texas, Haley and Nate Simpson of McDonald, Tennessee, Shane Welch of Vidor, Texas, Ashley, Abigail and Amelia Wolfe, of Kingwood, Texas.  Ouida is also survived by sisters Madeliene Davis of Colmesneil, Texas, Jan Elliott of Colmesneil, Texas, LaQuitta Dennis of Woodville, Texas and brother Johnny Tucker of Woodville, Texas.

Ouida also had three great-grandsons, who she adored with all her heart, Levi and Tucker White of Bridge City, Texas and William Ainsworth of Vidor, Texas.

She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Ouida was known as Mama and Granny to her kids and grandchildren and will be missed so very much.  We cannot wait to see her again.

Funeral service will be held Saturday, April 23, 2022, at 3 pm at the Campground Baptist Church in Woodville, Texas with burial to follow at the Campground Cemetery.  Visitation will be held Friday, April 22, 2022, from 4 pm until 6 pm at the Riley Funeral Home in Woodville, Texas.

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