Mary Louise Pittman White, 93, died on April 6, 2009, after a brief illness as a result of complications from congestive heart failure. A native Atlantan, Mary ("Bitsy" to her family) was born on June 17, 1915 to Robert Stonewall and Nellie Florence Pittman, in the home built by her father in 1895 on Washington Street in downtown Atlanta. She was preceded in death by her husband, John B. White, former Regional Director of the Federal Trade Commission, three brothers and one sister. She is survived by her daughter, Marilyn White of Decatur; two grandchildren, Russell (Allison) Johnston of Norcross, and Erin Johnston of Savannah, both of whom she was inordinately proud; nieces and nephews. Mary attended Commercial High School, and graduated from Evening College of Georgia (now Georgia State University) in 1941. She began her working career at Sears, and after her marriage in 1941, she and John were assigned by the FBI to offices in Philadelphia, St. Louis, and Salt Lake City. In 1946 they returned to Atlanta and built a home in Decatur. Mary was a devoted mother and homemaker during Marilyn’s childhood, and later was employed as a psychometrist at the Veterans Administration. She and John were married 45 years, and enjoyed a wonderful life together, including 7 cruises. After John's death, Mary continued her travels with her daughter's family, visiting Italy, Cape Cod, California, Nevada, New Mexico, Montana, Canada, the western National Parks, and numerous trips to St. Simmons Island. Her best travel memories were having a picnic lunch of olives, bread and wine on the steps of the Cathedral in Siena, Italy; rafting on the Bow River in Canada with her granddaughter; and sledding (at the age of 88) with her grandson one Christmas in Breckenridge, Colorado. She was an avid ACBL bridge player, played in several clubs, and had accumulated over 150 points toward the Life Master. She was a legendary cook, loved to laugh and always enjoyed a good joke. Mary had a true zest for life, was funny, feisty and fabulous to the end. She was a member of the Faith Class at Oak Grove United Methodist Church, and treasured her many friends there. Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 9, 2009 at Oak Grove United Methodist Church, with interment at Arlington Memorial Park. The family deeply appreciates the wonderful care provided by both her caregiver, Grace Ellison, and the staff of Hospice Atlanta, and requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to Hospice Atlanta, 1244 Park Vista Drive, Atlanta GA 30319. The family will receive friends Wednesday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at A. S. Turner & Sons.
