Former Martinsville Chevrolet Dealer Bob White, 93, of Martinsville, Va. and Islamorada, Fla. passed away on Wednesday, September 14, 2022, in Martinsville. He was born August 25, 1929, in Oakhill, W. Va. to Gorman Thurston White and Geneva Porterfield White. In addition to his parents, Mr. White was preceded in death by his son, Robert Charles White, who passed May 20, 2006.
Surviving are his wife Charlene Gesell White; son, Ross Porterfield White (Susie Ray) of Martinsville; grandchildren, Kayla White and Jamie Marsigit (Dino); 4 great great-grandchildren.
Mr. White, a long-time businessman, became the Chevrolet dealer in Martinsville in 1969 and operated Bob White Chevrolet for many years prior to retiring. He also owned Roanoke Highway Used Parts in Martinsville, Bob’s Full-Service Car Washes in Winston Salem and Greensboro, N.C. and Bob’s Mobile Home Park in Greensboro.
After graduating from Martinsville High School in 1947, Mr. White attended Virginia Military Institute and Randolph Macon College where he was a member of Kappa Alpha Fraternity.
In 1951 he volunteered for the Air Force and served at RAF Fighter Base Manston in Kent, England. He was honorably discharged in 1956 as a First Lieutenant.
He was a former member of the Martinsville and Henry County Chamber of Commerce and Retail Merchants Association. He was also a former member of the Martinsville Jaycees and a director of the Commonwealth Dealers Life Insurance Company.
Mr. White earned his Eagle Scout with Troop 63 of the United Methodist Church. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Martinsville.
A visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 20, 2022, at McKee-Stone Funeral Home Chapel. A private graveside service will be held at Roselawn Burial Park.
Memorials may be made to the Robert Charles White Scholarship Fund at Carlisle School, 300 Carlisle Road, Axton, VA. 24054.
McKee-Stone Funeral Home of Martinsville is serving the family. Online Condolences may be made at Collins-McKee-StoneMartinsville.com.
On behalf of my parents, my wife and I and relatives in the Pittsylvania County area, Axton, Sandy River, Swansonville, Chatham, I would like to express our condolences for Bobs passing. My wife and I live across the creek in Toll Gate Shores in Islamorada. I knew Charlene from the tennis club and fishing club and when she used to ride her bike several years back. As for Virginia. my father, grandfather and relatives bought their trucks and cars from Whites years ago when they lived in Virginia. We are sorry to now lose Bob as well as Chalene as neighbors in Lower Matecumbe.
My husband would meet Bob every Saturday at Green Turtle in Islamorada for breakfast … they both sat in the same seats at the bar … I would meet there when I could … it was such a pleasure to speak with him and hear of all his adventures … such a delightful gentleman.
My condolences for your loss.
Ellen and Larry Dalton