Obituary of David W. White Jr.

Faith, Family, & Fellowship. The Life of David W. White Jr.

Husband. Father. Uncle. Grandfather. Friend. Doccy. Brother Dave. These are just some of the ways we know David William White Jr, who answered God’s call and took his place as one of God’s most faithful servants on Saturday, February 14th, 2026. Surrounded by family, and cloaked in their love, David quoted scripture and hummed his favorite Gospel songs in his final hours. He passed gracefully and peacefully with the strength of God’s love carrying him through.
 
David was born to David (Sr) and Alice White in Camden, NJ on August 3, 1926. He attended Camden High School, and graduated in 1944. He enlisted in the Army in 1945, serving in Germany during WWII with the rank of Corporal. He was honorably discharged in 1946. While waiting to attend Howard University, where he was considering a pre-med curriculum, he ran into a former school teacher. He suggested that David help him at a dry cleaners while he waited to attend Howard. David immediately fell in love with the dry cleaning process, and thought “I’m making all this money for them, let me make some for myself!” The following year, he launched his own business, partnering with his brother Benjamin. Wite’s Cleaners was born! David and Benjamin were later joined by a third brother, Stanley, in the business. What started in the basement of their parents home, Wite’s cleaners grew and stayed in business for over 50 years, surviving discrimination, overt racism, economic downturns, and environmental pressures. But they didn’t just survive, they thrived, in both good times and bad. They became one of Camden’s longest running and most successful black owned businesses, receiving a ceremonial key to the City of Camden upon retirement. Fun fact, during slow economic times, David sold World Book Encyclopedias as a side job, some of which we still have today!

But behind every successful business is a support system that keeps everything running. For David, that was Beatrice ‘Peaches’ Mann, the love of his life. Beatrice, a Haddonfield resident, met David at the New Jersey Annual Sunday School convention in 1948. David always said it was love at first sight. After a courtship, they married the following year at Bethel AME Church in Camden. The union was built upon their love for each other, and their Faith in God. It was this foundation that carried them through 65 years together, upon Beatrice’s passing in 2014.
 
David and Beatrice were blessed with eight amazing, handsome, and intelligent sons. David was preceded in death by three sons, David III, Forrest, and Michael, plus a special ’9th’ son Marcus (Kimberlee); he’s survived by sons (and daughters-in-law) Barry, Bradley, Anthony (Elena), Brian (Jennifer), and Gary (Loren). Also mourning are grandchildren Brian David, Gage Tyler, Tanner
Christian, Kayla Grace, Olivia Nevaeh, Ravanna, Jamal, Valerie, and Michael; and great-grandchildren Marcus Scott and Gavin Davis.

David was also preceded in death by siblings Thelma, Benjamin, Stanley, Noami, Viola, Robert, Albert, Howard, and Charles. He’s survived by beloved sister Dolores, and his amazing Aunt Bea, who is still serving God at 104 years young! A wonderful host of nieces, nephews, friends, and Brothers and Sisters in Christ also grieve his passing. What a remarkable family!

It would be impossible to think of David without appreciating his incredibly strong Faith in our Lord. Few have spoken about the Word of God and lived a life of God’s teaching the way David did. He was a member at Grant AME Church in Chesilhurst, NJ for many years. In 1987, he joined St. John’s United Methodist Church and served as a Trustee, Steward, and a member of the Fishers of Men committee. Every Sunday, you could find him in one of the first pews, carrying his well worn Bible, waving his hand during devotions, and offering his testimony (followed by a few verses of his favorite gospel selections). He was a mentor to both worshipers and pastors alike, with many seeking his knowledge and wisdom. David would seldom put himself first, only sharing what The Word says and how God should guide them. His Faith was infectious, and a positive influence everywhere. Having
trouble with your Faith? “Trust in the Lord; Jesus is the answer” he’d say. Looking for answers to a problem? “If it’s God’s will,” or “Let me pray on it” he’d reply.

In addition to serving the Lord, David was an avid bowler. He used a 13 lb. ball well into his 80’s, and would regularly deliver a 200 point game. His tomato and strawberry gardens were bountiful, producing more than he could eat or even give away. He also enjoyed investing in his rental units, and monitoring local CD rates at the neighborhood banks. He often reminded us to practice ‘frugality,’ to buy only what we could afford and to avoid unnecessary debt. Throughout his life, David enjoyed collecting poems & spiritual advice, often clipping them from magazines and newspapers and saving them for his family. There was never a moment when David wasn’t imparting some sort of knowledge or wisdom upon us. But above all, his Bible was never far away. Oh, did we mention how he loved to eat? He was always ready for a plate of fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, greens, and sweet potato pie, or a trip out to a local restaurant with his nephew Shawn and his wife Timmie. And one of his last requests was for an order of salmon cakes, one of his favorites. He was a man of Faith, Family, and Fellowship, and he will be missed, but never forgotten. Be blessed Doccy!