ALTA MARIE WHITE

03/13/1931 - 02/13/2023

Alta Marie White was born at home in Houston to Edna and Joye Naylor on the 13th of March 1931. She passed away at the age of 91 on Monday, the 13th of February 2023, following treatment for pneumonia.

Vivacious, loving, and feisty, Alta was adored most of all for her wonderful sense of humor through life’s ups and downs. Her family and friends will miss her regular funny e-mails, her upbeat perspective, and the sage advice that encouraged our dreams and/or lifted our spirits. She charmed celebrities, dignitaries, and strangers alike with the same big smile and sincere interest in their lives, but never took her own talents too seriously. When prompted on forms to state her occupation, she found impish delight in entering “philosopher.”

Alta graduated from Lamar High School in Houston, attended Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas, and returned to her hometown to work for Tennessee Gas. She met the love of her life, Vilbry White, while he was attending the University of Texas School of Dentistry. They soon began a marriage that lasted 61 years until his death in 2012. Alta and Vilbry welcomed their first child, Jenny, before moving to Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama, where Vilbry served for two years. Twins Jan and Lesa were born there in 1955. The family returned to Houston and daughter Leslie was born in 1970. Her children have wonderful memories of family vacations, captured by Alta’s impressive collection of scrapbooks that also included holidays, international travel with Vilbry, and ordinary moments that documented an extraordinarily blessed life.

Always proud to be a native Houstonian, Alta contributed her talents to multiple civic organizations for over 25 years. She served as president of the Woman’s Club of Houston from 1975-1977, as a Houston Symphony League board member for many years, and was publicity chairwoman and executive director as a board member of The Cancer League, Inc. for 14 years. The Heart Ball, Leukemia Society Telethon, and Theatre Under the Stars Guild events were just some of the fundraising efforts that benefitted from Alta’s savvy skill. In return, she felt greatly enriched by her volunteer experiences and the many wonderful friends she made.

Alta is survived by her daughters, Jan Freed and husband Gerald of Richmond, Texas, Lesa Moller and husband Steve of Austin, Texas, and Leslie Beckmeyer and husband David of Hockley, Texas; brother-in-law, Gordon White and wife Linda of Austin, Texas, sister-inlaw, Joyce White of Houston, Texas; grandchildren, Joan Hiller LeMay, Ken Moller, Emily Moller, Stephanie Freed Pavony and husband Brett, David Freed and wife Bentley, Kara Beckmeyer Warren and husband Kyle, and Alyse Beckmeyer; greatgrandchildren, Charlotte Moller, Henry Moller, Matthew Moller, Jack Pavony, Bennett Pavony, and Jake Freed; and ten nieces and nephews. Alta and Vilbry lost their daughter Jenny White Hiller to Multiple Sclerosis in 2010.

Friends are cordially invited to a reception with the family from two until four o’clock in the afternoon on Saturday, the 25th of February, in the Parlor of Geo H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston. Per Alta’s wishes there will be a private scattering of her cremated remains at the family ranch.

In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions honoring Alta’s memory may be directed to the National MS Society, by visiting www.nationalmssociety.org.

Please visit her online memorial tribute at GeoHLewis. com where fond memories and words of comfort and condolence may be shared electronically with her family.