Judith White

Judith May Godfrey White, 71 of Independence, MO, passed away, May 4, 2009. Services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, May 7, 2009 at the Speaks Suburban Chapel with cremation to follow. The family will greet friends from 6 to 8:00 p.m., Wednesday evening at the chapel. Donations may be made to the Memorial Garden at Summit Grove Community of Christ. Judie was born May 4, 1938 to William “Gift” Godfrey and Pearl Irene (Kennicutt) Godfrey in Fresno, CA. She was married to Roger White on December 29, 1957, and eventually made their home in San Jose, CA where they raised their children and were active members of Community of Christ. Judie was a foster mother to 12 children. She volunteered her time working with children. Judie graduated with honors from California State University, Hayward with a bachelor’s of Science in Nursing in 1979, while raising five children. She started her nursing career in the ICU in San Jose. She moved to Independence in 1991 and continued her work in nursing at Independence Regional Health Center in ICU, cardiac rehabilitation and post surgery recovery. She was an active member of the Summit Grove Community of Christ, serving on the building beautification committee and was responsible for the beautiful worship centers. She had a passion for family, gardening, painting, decorating, sewing and creating projects for her husband. She was well loved and will be deeply missed. She is survived by her loving husband of 52 years, Roger Allen White; children, Mary and (Roger) Swick, Kay Thomas, Jennifer and (Eric) Andersen, Julie and (Hugh) Caldwell, and Jill and (Mike) Freeland; grandchildren, Robin and Virginia Swick, Sara and (Daniel) Smith, James, Andrew and Jennifer Thomas, Alyssa, Ashley and Andrew Andersen, Jonathan, Rachel, Aaron, Rebekah, Emily and Jared Caldwell, Sophie, Will, and Max Freeland; great grandchild Ashton Smith; sister, Marjorie LaRose. She was preceded in death by; her parents, brothers, Allen and Alfred Godfrey; son-in-law, Mike Thomas; brother-in-law, Floyd LaRose and twin grandsons Kyle and Matthew Andersen.