Margaret Louanna (Chambers) White

Margaret Louanna Chambers White was born on May 19, 1930 in Alliance, Ohio, the second child of Frederic James Chambers, Sr. and Nora Chambers. She passed away Monday, March 30, 2020 at Spring Cypress Assisted Living in Cypress, Texas.

Peggy, as she was known to her friends, was a lifelong member of Damascus Friends Church in Damascus, Ohio. She attended grade school and high school in Damascus. Upon graduation from high school, she attended Houghton College in Houghton, NY and graduated from William Penn University in Oskaloosa, Iowa.  In the interim between the two colleges, she served as children’s librarian at the Carnegie Free Library in Alliance, Ohio.

It was while attending William Penn, Peggy met her lifelong love, Almon White, and after one year, they were married on August 21, 1953. Immediately after their marriage, they moved to Portland, Oregon, where Al attended seminary and she worked as the assistant librarian at the school. From there they moved to Wilmore, KY where she again worked as an assistant librarian at Asbury Theological Seminary while her husband finished his degree. She then returned to college and finished her degree.

Upon graduation, she accepted a position as third grade teacher in Richland, Iowa, where her husband was pastor of the Friends Church. She was the first elementary teacher in that school who had received a college degree. After one year they moved to Wheaton, IL, where she became a first grade teacher in the Wheaton School District. Again Al was in Grad School at Wheaton College.

From there they returned to Damascus and Peggy taught first grade in the West Branch School District and assisted in the management of the Friends Book Store where Al was the manager. Their two children were born while they were living in Damascus. During 1976, Peggy served as the Executive Secretary of the Damascus Historical Society and planning committee for the Bicentennial Celebrations.

In 1977, the family moved to the Houston area. Here Peggy became active in Bible Study Fellowship where she was a leader for a number of years. She was also active in the Leah Circle of Lakewood United Methodist Church. Along with those activities, she again assisted her husband in the management of Mills Bible Store.

Preceded in death by her mother, father, brother, Frederic James Chambers, Jr. and son, James Brian White, Peggy is survived by her husband of 66 years, Almon White; daughter, Robyn Burns; grandchildren, Rachel Burns-Sevilla (husband Elvis), Richard Burns, Randall James Burns (wife Dawn); and her great-granddaughter, Elizabeth Burns, along with niece, Stephanie Chambers and nephew, Scott Chambers.

She was loved and respected by those who knew her.

A private graveside service will be held with interment at Damascus Friends Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Lakewood United Methodist Church Missions Committee 11330 Louetta Rd. Houston, TX   77070 or to Northshore Friends Church ℅ Marilyn Maters, Treasurer 13823 Woodforest Blvd. Houston, TX   77015. Arrangements are by Cassaday-Turkle-Christian Funeral Home 75 S. Union Ave., Alliance, OH 44601.