Mrs. Etonure Wilson White

Etonure Wilson White was born August 16, 1935 in Senatobia, Mississippi, the first daughter of the late Hersie and the late Alberta (Tugger) Hollins. Her younger sister Bernice (Bell) Gladden preceded her in death by six months. Etonure lived in Senatobia for the first years of her life before moving to Cleveland, Ohio where she was raised by her parents. She attended Cleveland Public Schools and was a cheerleader at Rawlings Junior High School. In 1952, she left high school to raise a family with her former husband, the late Arthur Joseph Wilson Jr. She had six boys (Arthur III, Marcus (Jessica), Anthony, Darius, Marshall (Frances) and Donald) and after Arthur Jr. died in 1961, she practically raised her sons by herself. In 1969 she married Bennie White and acknowledged four step children (Bennie Jr., Cynthia, Valerie, and Bill). Etonure departed this life, Tuesday, May 3, 2016 at home surrounded by family and friends. Etonure was a long time member of Temple Baptist Church of Cleveland, Ohio. In the 1960’s, she found work outside the home as a dental technician, but due to illness had to leave that job. She later found work as a bartender at the old Kinsman Grill of Cleveland, Ohio. She worked there for nine years and later said that it was the most satisfying of all her jobs. Later she worked as a day care teacher and in the 1980’s worked for the TRW Company as a machine aircraft parts inspector. During this time, she enjoyed being a mother to her children, a grandmother, and a great grandmother, and an aunt to many nieces and nephews, a street mother to dozens of neighborhood children from around her home on East 117th Street. Another joy was reading, often telling children, “Books were the television of the mind.” She also loved dancing to the latest songs and was a great lover of jazz. Etonure, “Toni” as she was called by family and friends, had many names. She was “Tone” to her parents and sister Bernice; kids, both young and old, on 117th street called her Mrs. White with great reverence. Because of her feistiness and strictness several of her uncles called her “Blackjack”. However, to her loving sons she will always be “Mommy”. Etonure is survived by three of her sons, Marcus, Darius, Donald, her step children, Bennie Jr., Cynthia, Valerie, and Bill. She is preceded in death by three son, Arthur III, Anthony, and Marshall; by her former husband, Arthur Joseph Wilson, Jr.; and her sister Bernice. Etonure was known by many in all her neighborhoods as a loving and caring person. She considered all children near her as one of hers and didn’t hesitate to take care of them. She fed them, watched over them, and if necessary disciplined them and called their parents on them too. In the same vein, she was a no – nonsense person and did not suffer fools lightly. She would greet you with a smile, and a watchful eye. She readily offered encouraging words, but wouldn’t hesitate to correct a wayward soul. Her memory will be forever cherished and loved by her family and friends.

Mrs. Etonure Wilson White

August 16, 1935 - May 3, 2016