Nellie Marie Blake White, 99, of Durham, North Carolina passed away on February 4th, 2026, with her loving family by her side.
Nellie was born on August 13th, 1926, to Lillian Garnet Kline and Ira Blake in Fayette County, West Virginia. She had one older brother, Ira Blake.
Nellie graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in Beckley, West Virginia. She then attended Laird Memorial Nursing School in Montgomery, West Virginia. She married her husband Albert White in 1947. Nellie worked as a Registered Nurse in a variety of clinical roles at several hospitals, nursing homes, and companies around the Kanawha Valley, in addition to teaching nursing at the Job Core, before retiring in 1988. She spent her retirement as a doting grandmother and an active member of Judson Baptist Church. Nellie was known for her excellent baking and cooking skills and made sure to pass along these skills to her daughters. She diligently ensured all who entered her home were well-fed (and then some).
Nellie was preceded in death by her parents, brother, husband, Albert of 74 years, and a firstborn daughter who died at birth. Nellie is survived by her two daughters, Diane Marie White and Debi Kay White Chaney (Charlie). The joy of her life was her grandchildren, including Bryce Nelson Chaney, Jordan White Chaney (Chancie), and Whitney Elise Chaney Cooper, all of Durham, North Carolina, and Alexandra Blake Gibson (Anthony) of Kansas City, Missouri. Nellie was also blessed with six great-grandchildren, Jack and Jesse Cooper, Elijah and Judah Chaney, and Lilla and Hans Charles Chaney.
Nellie lived in Durham, North Carolina at Bartlett Reserve Senior Living for 10 years. We thank Bartlett for their kindness and support. We especially thank Wanda Harris for her special care and concern for Nellie.
A family service will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, February 15, 2026 in the Montgomery Memorial Park Mausoleum Chapel.
