Martha White

Martha Nell Palsa White was born March 23, 1941, in Brinkley, AR and joined her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on December 1, 2023. She was the daughter of Joe and Margaret Palsa and had seven siblings (Bobbie Palsa, Betty Simpson, Helen Skipper, Linda Smith, Diane San Nicolas, Judy Litchford, and David Palsa). Martha married her Mt. Ida High School sweetheart, Ralph Edward White and had two children, Deborah White Allen (Rick Allen) and Larry Don White (Robin White). Martha was the beloved wife, mother, and grandmother to Ralph, her two children, eight grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren. Her love of cooking and holiday decorating greatly blessed her family, and “Mamaw” always had a goodie bag when visiting her grands.

She gave her life to Christ as a child in McGehee Baptist Church.  She was active as a Sunday School teacher at Lakeshore Heights Baptist Church in Hot Springs and later became a member of the First Baptist Church of Royal.  She obtained her associate degree at Draughon’s Business College and worked as a secretary at Arkansas Power & Light Company.  Martha was a talented oil painter and active in her community serving as an officer of the Traditional Art Guild and was a master gardener serving on the advisory board of Garvan Woodland Gardens.  She enjoyed her annual Mt. Ida girlfriend visits and travels with family and friends nationally and to England, Ireland, and Scotland. She was a wonderful hostess to many family gatherings and a devoted support to Ralph in his banking career. 

She is dearly loved and deeply mourned. In lieu of flowers, consider a gift in her memory to First Baptist Church of Royal or Garvan Woodland Gardens.

All services will be held at First Baptist Church of Royal, 7402 Albert Pike Road, Royal, AR with Brother George Lynch officiating on Monday, December 4, 2023. Visitation will be from 12:30-2:00 followed immediately by the celebration of life service at 2:00 pm.

Guest registry at www.smithfamilycares.com