Despina Stratoudaki White, Phd

Dr. Despina Stratoudaki White P.H.D. Dr. White passed away quietly Sunday morning, November 8, 2015, in Honolulu, Hawaii from natural causes, with her son Darrell "Teddy" White by her side. Dr. White was 89 years young. Born August 10, 1926 in Greece on the Island of Crete to parents, Mrs. Pareiskevi Marteningo Stratoudaki and Colonel Theodore Stratoudaki. The parents later divorced and Despina went to live with her father on base in the Officer's quarters Dr. White survived the German Occupation during the outbreak of World War II, while her father lost his life fighting in the Battle of Crete. Moving to Athens to join her mother and sister, Dr. White also lived through the Greek Civil War and became a flight attendant for The Greek National Airline in 1948. She met and married Captain Darrell S. White while working as an air hostess on his flight from Greece to Australia and back. Dr. White joined her husband in the United States on Christmas of 1949. Mrs. White had a hunger for knowledge that led her to obtain both Masters and Doctorate Degrees in History from The University of Georgia. She taught French at Stratford Academy and as a professor at Middle Georgia University, Wesleyan College and Mercer University where she influenced hundreds of students. A lifelong lover and supporter of The Opera, Ballet and the Arts, she was a member of the Morning Music Club, a published author, and fluent in five different languages. Dr. White also served as president of the League of Women Voters, and attended the inauguration of President John F. Kennedy in 1960 along with her husband and several other prominent Macon residents. Dr. White was preceded in death by her husband, Darrell S. White; and is survived by her son, Darrell Theodore "Teddy" White; daughter, Nora "Susie" Appleton; sister, Lucy Pandelides of Athens, Greece; grandchildren, Heyward Gignilliat, DarrelI Gignilliat, Darrell White, Reina White Leftwick, and Natalie White; great grandchildren, Athena Leftwick and Ari White. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 14, 2015, at 10:00 AM at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church located at 859 First Street, Macon, followed by burial at Riverside Cemetery. A reception will immediately follow at the Gables at Wolf Creek, 5228 Forsyth Road, Macon GA 31210. There will be a "Celebration of Life" Ceremony and visitation held in Honor of Dr. White on Friday, November 13 from 7:00PM to 9:00 PM at Hart's at the Cupola, 6324 Peake Rd, Macon, GA. Friends and family will participate. Also expected to attend will be her nephew, Mr. Manos Pantelides of Athens, Greece; joined by his two daughters, Emily Pantelides Robbins and Kristina Pantelides. Flowers and donations may be sent to Holy Cross Greek Church, Macon. Register online at www.hartsmort.com. Hart's Mortuary at the Cupola has charge of arrangements.