Ellen Justine White, 86, St. Joseph, Missouri, passed away Saturday, November 23, 2024.
She was born September 1, 1938 in St. Joseph to James and Claire (Browning) Rucker.
Ellen grew up in St. Joseph and graduated from Platt-Gard Business School with a secretarial degree. She then went to work at American Family Insurance, where she worked her way up to senior secretary.
She married David Charles Carey in September 1956. He preceded her in death on July 26, 1993. She later married Harold Lee White on September 16, 1998. He preceded her in death on September 26, 2022.
She took early retirement from American Family to start her own business selling beauty supplies out of the trunk of her car, eventually operating several beauty supply stores at multiple locations, including Justine’s Beauty Supply.
Ellen loved to bowl and was on several teams at Olympia Lanes, one of which won the Missouri State Championship in 1981. She also was an avid reader of Harlequin romance novels.
She was a loving mother and grandmother, who adored her grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; both husbands; daughter Katherine Hardin; great-granddaughter, Jamera Thomas; brother, John James Rucker; and sister, Diana Rucker.
Survivors include her children, David Earl Carey (Ginger), Roxanne Carey, Gwendolyn Thomas (Randy), and Darryl Carey; grandchildren, David Michael Carey, Chaleese Carey-Devonshire, Andre Carey, Toney Hardin, Veneeta Cortez (Rodolfo), Nathan Thomas, Natasha Thomas, Chandelar Hagan, Jadyn Carey-Grimes; and Morgan Carey-Grimes; 10 great-grandchildren; sister, Helen Annette Ginn; brother, Doyle Rucker; other extended family and friends.
Farewell Services and Public Livestream 3:00 P.M. Saturday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. The family will gather with friends 1:30 to 2:30 P.M. Saturday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory.
