Jess Russell White

Jess Russell White, 94, of Jonesboro, passed from this life on June 16, 2023, at Flo and Phil
Jones Hospice House. He was born in Williamsburg, Kentucky January 30, 1929.

Dr. White held university faculty appointments in Georgia and Kentucky. During this time he
authored the first and second editions of Sports Rules Encyclopedia.

In 1968 Dr. White joined the faculty of Arkansas State University as professor of physical
education, a position he filled for the next 21 years until his retirement in 1989. During this time
Dr. White also served as Chair of the Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation
and President of the Faculty Senate. In 2010, Dr. White was among the first group of faculty
members to be added to the university’s Wall of Fame honoring distinguished faculty.
Dr. White was a long-time member of First Baptist Church in Jonesboro, where he also served
as a deacon, Chair of the Board of Deacons as well as a Sunday School teacher.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Martha and Otis White of Williamsburg, KY; brother
Elbert White of Oak Ridge, TN; and sister, Orene White Lawson of Cincinnati, OH.
Dr. White was also preceded in death by his first wife, Dorothy Siler White, originally of
Williamsburg Kentucky, and by his second wife, Janet Dunn Bowman White, originally of Lake
Village, Arkansas.

Surviving are Dr. White’s three daughters: Nancy (Kevin) Coriden of Olathe, Kansas, and their
children Ellen (Nik) Bergstrom and Sam Coriden; Martha (Jeff) Rettig of Kansas City, Missouri,
and their daughters Kate Rettig (Chad Tysdahl) and Megan Rettig (Tim Brooks); and Cynthia
(Steve) Brown of Pensacola Florida, and their daughters Kristin (Matt) Backus and Laura
(Danny) Albritton; and five great-grandchilden. He is also survived by Jan’s children, Chery
Cratty and George Bowman, both of Smithville, Tennessee.

Our family wishes to express our heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Mark C. Brown for his kindness
and excellent care.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 20, in the sanctuary of First Baptist
Church, Jonesboro with visitation at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow in Highland Cemetery,
Williamsburg, KY.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Magnolia Baptist Church for the benefit of the
Friends and Neighbors Network or the Diaper Bank.