1940-2022

Vida Beth (Keahey) White, 82, passed away Wednesday, September 21, 2022. A memorial service was held Monday, September 26, 2022, at the First Baptist Church in Rule with Rev. Scott Hensley and Paul Leonard officiating under the direction of Smith Family Funeral Homes.

Vida Beth ‘Keahey’ White was born at home during a snowstorm on January 8, 1940, to Coy and Emily Keahey in Edom. She spent an adventurous childhood following her father from school to school with his work as a principal, coach, and superintendent. One district paid her father with a milking cow, which she helped tend to as a small child. Another housed them in one half of the school’s cafeteria, separated from the other half with curtains. At yet another, her father asked her to give a tour of the school to a new teacher he had just hired, Mr. Kirby White, who she eventually married on May 22, 1960.

After graduating from McMurray College inAbilene, Vida followed her father’s example and spent her career in education, teaching many levels of elementary school before settling into her favorite: fifth grade. She taught hundreds of students over thirty-six years in the classroom, including two of her own children.

Vida and Kirby raised four children together until Kirby’s untimely death in 1978 when Vida became a widow and a single mother. Nevertheless, with the support of her parents, church, extended family, and the Rule community, she made a home full of love for her children.

Later in life, Vida was blessed with her friend and constant companion, Mr. Phil Little, enjoying many adventures and travels together. Their favorite trips were serving with Church Builders organizations, building churches in Texas, Kentucky, Missouri, and Louisiana.

Vida was a faithful member of First Baptist Church in Rule, serving in many roles over the years from the nursery to Adult Sunday School. She also served with the Women’s Missionary Union and in Eastern Star.

She is survived by her children, Carl; Tauniya; Mike, and Rusty (and wife, Nicole); her grandchildren, Justin; McKenna (and husband, Caddo Meeks); Delani; Hunter; Shelby; Caleb; Emily, and Katie, as well as her Aunt Georgia, several great grandchildren, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to the kitchen remodeling fund at First Baptist, Rule, Texas where Vida spent hours serving food to youth, workers, and families.

Online condolences can be shared with the family at www.smithfamilyfh.com.