Paula Marie White

On Sunday, February 9, 2020, this world lost an amazing woman.

Paula Marie White, at age 62, passed away after her long and courageous battle with chronic kidney failure. She was a loyal daughter, a loving mother, a doting grandmother, and steadfast sister. She represented a one-of-a-kind friend and a true, life companion to the people whom she knew and loved!

Paula was born May 11, 1957, in Indianapolis, Indiana, to Paul and Ronnie White. Paula graduated from North Central High School in 1975. She studied at Butler University and ultimately acquired a Culinary Degree in the Fine Food and Wine Career Program from Cook Street School of Culinary Arts, supported by studies in Denver, Colorado, southern France, and regions in Italy.

Paula’s professional career was well rounded and interesting, simply an extension of who she was. She involved herself professionally in areas that were interesting to her and ones which stirred her passions: working in and selling fine art for Galleries, managing a fitness gym, selling real estate, watching over college students as a sorority and fraternity house-mother/manager. She was an entrepreneur. She started and built a business in coffee cart catering, and she managed that business for nine years, before selling it.

You can see from her career choices, she seemingly has done it all!  Those choices also represented and proved her love of meeting and talking to new people. She always had a warm smile to share. That same love of people beckoned her to volunteer her time, serving in several capacities through the years, most recently with Second Helpings and as Head of Hospitality at LifeJourney Church, where she was a faithful member and devoted attendee.

Perhaps the most endearing and enduring time in her professional life turned out to be the time she spent as a house mother. Paula held positions at the University of Michigan, Indiana University, and Butler University. Little did she know what impact the latter two positions would have on her life.  While at IU, Paula introduced her son to Samantha, the girl who would become his fiancée and the mother of Paula’s first grandchild, beloved Paxton.

It was during her time at the Butler University fraternity when Paula met Tim. They became fast friends, later becoming life-partners.  Tim and Paula have been constant companions for the last five years.

Paula was preceded in death by her father, Paul; her mother, Ronnie; two brothers, Steve and Mark; and a sister, Carol.

She is survived by her daughter, Sarah; her son, Patrick; her grandson, Paxton; her sisters, Lynne and Barbara and their husbands and families, including several nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. She is also survived by many close friends.

Paula warmed the hearts of so many people. Even when she was sick, she thought of others first and wanted to take care of them. Please let her continue to live through your conversations, thoughts and prayers; and let her life always be a part of your memories.

A celebration of her life will be held March 7, 2020 at LifeJourney Church, 2950 East 55th Place, Indianapolis, IN 46220.  Visitation will begin at 2:30 PM, with a memorial service at 4 PM.  A light dinner will be served shortly after the service for all who would like to join the family.

Memorial contributions may be made to the newly established Paula White Memorial Fund. Information can be found by following this link: https://LifeJourney.church/paulawhite