SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 37

(By Senators Stollings, Plymale, and Beach)

[Introduced February 22, 2018]

Requesting the Division of Highways to name a portion of West Virginia Route 3, beginning at the intersection of Routes 3 and 34, east of Hamlin, and ending at the eastern border of the town of Hamlin, the “Sheriff John E. White Memorial Road”.

Whereas, John Elbert White was born August 8, 1943, in Charleston, West Virginia. He was the son of Harold and Odessa White of Sweetland, West Virginia, and was raised in Sweetland, in Lincoln County; and

Whereas, John Elbert White continued to live in Lincoln County, West Virginia, moving to Hamlin for 31 years. John then moved back to Sweetland and lived there until he passed away on May 9, 2017; and

Whereas, John Elbert White attended Hamlin Elementary School and then Hamlin High School in Hamlin, West Virginia. He played basketball, ran track, and played trumpet in the band. While growing up, he helped run his parent’s store in Sweetland. After graduating from high school, he started a grocery store, White’s Supermarket/Grocery, with his parents in 1962. This was the start of White’s Plaza in Hamlin, West Virginia; and

Whereas, In 1967, John Elbert White married Ida Sharon Porter. John and Sharon had a son, John A. White, in 1969, and a daughter, Beth Ann White, in 1974. John Elbert White, along with his wife and family, ran many businesses over the years in Hamlin, including Hamlin Floral, White’s NAPA, B&J Gift Shop, Sharon’s Salon, Burger King, and Pizza INN. He always wanted to see Hamlin and Lincoln County grow and to see young business owners succeed. He would offer advice or assistance in any way he could to individuals wanting to get started in business or wanting to serve the community, even as elected officials; and

Whereas, In 1973, John Elbert White was approached by community members to serve a vacant term for sheriff of Lincoln County. While a sheriff for Lincoln County, he attended law-enforcement training at UCLA in California. He went on to run for sheriff the next term (1976) and served another 4 years as Sheriff. Serving his community was his passion. He loved Hamlin and Lincoln County, not to mention the great State of West Virginia; and

Whereas, On February 8, 1990, John Elbert White filled a vacant seat for Lincoln County Clerk and served until November 15, 1990. Throughout his life he continued to be active in the political setting. He organized trips to the State Capitol for grade school and junior high students. He helped children to serve as pages in the House of Delegates and Senate during sessions of the State Legislature. John hoped to positively influence young people to get involved in their communities and state; and

Whereas, John served on the Southwestern Community Action Council board and was chairman of Lincoln County Opportunity Company. During his volunteer time with Southwestern Community Action Council he was a part of many achievements in the county such as the first headstart program and better senior centers and services in Lincoln County. They started with one headstart in Yawkey, West Virginia, growing to eight headstart programs throughout the county. While working with these organizations, the senior center in Hamlin was serving meals and services out of a small, older home. With the help of John and others, in 1995, the senior center grew to a new building of 21,576 square feet and now includes services in Wayne County, West Virginia. It is considered one of the best agencies in the state. John received many awards and other recognitions during his life with one being a Distinguished Mountaineer award from Governor Joe Manchin and another being named Home Town Hero from WSAZ; and

Whereas, John Elbert White attended Hamlin Baptist Church and was an active member throughout his life. He served as a junior deacon of the church and later as a deacon. He always wanted to see people come together in fellowship and have a good meal. While serving at the church, he wanted to see it grow in membership and land/infrastructure. The old high school band room was purchased by the church and turned into a fellowship hall. John liked to make sure there were meals for the church members for Valentine’s Day, Easter, Mother’s Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, pastor appreciation, and any other occasion to fellowship. He even opened the fellowship hall one Saturday a month to provide free breakfast out of his own pocket for any male who wanted to attend, with no obligation. Along with other church members, he helped provide meals to the sports teams at Hamlin Middle School. John and his wife participated in the Good News Club, helping Hamlin schools and the community. Monetary reimbursement was not the source behind John Elbert White’s doing so much for Hamlin, Lincoln County, and West Virginian. The reimbursement was the pure enjoyment of seeing the area’s people succeed. Putting his community and others first was his priority. John Elbert White continued to plan activities for the church and community until his death; and

Whereas, It is fitting that an enduring memorial be established to commemorate Sheriff John E. White and his contributions to our state; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name a portion of West Virginia Route 3, beginning at the intersection of Routes 3 and 34, east of Hamlin, and ending at the eastern border of the town of Hamlin, the “Sheriff John E. White Memorial Road”; and be it

Further Resolved, That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to have made and be placed signs at both ends identifying the portion of road as the “Sheriff John E. White Memorial Road”; and be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the Senate is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the Commissioner of Highways.