Mevalyn (Wood) Andrews White, 90, formerly of LaFayette, AL, passed away on Friday, November 10, 2023. She was born on New Years’ eve of 1932, in Mellow Valley, AL to Joseph and Bertha Wood. The 6th of 6 children, Mevalyn was the adored baby of the family and community. She graduated from Mellow Valley School and received her Associate degree from Southern Union in Wadley. She was married to Ben H. Andrews, Jr., and moved to Chambers County where they farmed the Andrews land and raised 3 Children. Mevalyn worked at Playtex and then several years at Chambers Academy as the principal secretary, where she was loved by all. When she wasn’t taxiing kids from school and ballfield, she enjoyed gardening, canning, volunteering at Oak Bowery church, and hosting fine dinners. Mevalyn was an excellent cook. Neighbors loved to stop by to drink coffee with her and enjoy some cake, bread or pastry.
After Ben’s untimely death, Mevalyn decided to fulfill a lifelong dream, and returned to Southern Union to become a nurse. She graduated at the top her class and went to work in the I.C.U. at East Alabama Medical Center. Mevalyn married Wayne White, a long-time family friend, in 1984. They lived in Ridge Grove where she became a vital part of that community, serving at Center Baptist Church and the Ridge Grove Volunteer Fire Department. Wayne and Mevalyn enjoyed traveling, and visited several countries and islands, including a Colorado whitewater rafting trip and an exciting Alaska tour. In her later years, she continued volunteering with Chattahoochee Valley Hospice, where she helped stitch several quilts and was the top fundraiser. She also found special blessings in helping the ladies at Harvest Evangelism’s Hosanna Home. A proud moment in Mevalyn’s life was when she was the first woman elected to serve on the Lee-Chambers Farm Service Agency County Committee, where she served 3 terms.
She is survived by her husband of 39 years, Wayne White, children; Ben H. (& Lisa Drake) Andrews III, Barry W. Andrews, and Betty Lynn (& Alan) Walker, step-children; David (& Diane) White, Lisa (& David) Siggers, and Rick White, grandchildren; Ashley (& Corey) Blair, Mollie Cole, Elizabeth Andrews, Joseph Muszynski, Anna Muszynski, and Cash Andrews, great-grandchildren; Caden Blair and Rowan Muszynski, and many beloved nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends at 1pm, Wednesday, November 15th at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home, 1550 Frederick Rd., Opelika, AL, with the Celebration of Life service immediately following in the chapel at 2pm. Graveside service to follow at Lafayette City Cemetery at 3:30.
In lieu of flowers, donations can me made in Mevalyn’s memory to any Alabama Hospice organization, or the charity of your choice.