Dr. Phillip Henry White Sr.
Dr. Phillip Henry White Sr. 86, of Union City passed away peacefully on Aug. 25, 2026, following several lengthy illnesses. He was born in Union City on Dec. 18, 1939, to the late Gus B. and Evelyn Ford White.
Phillip was a proud graduate of Union City High School and the University of Tennessee at Martin. While attending UT Martin, he was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity and served as President. His love and devotion to the University of Tennessee continued throughout his life. He served as President of the Union City Chapter of the University of Tennessee National Alumni Association. He was later elected to the Board of Governors of the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, Obion County. He remained a devoted member and supporter of the University of Tennessee. He later completed his Doctor of Education at Tennessee State University.
Phillip dedicated his life to education, technology and community service. He owned and operated Financial Computer Services in Union City and later worked with Moore Business Forms. He also spent many years working for Goodyear and served as an adjunct professor of computer science at UT Martin.
His commitment to education and school leadership was especially evident through his longtime service with the Tennessee School Boards Association (TSBA). He began working with TSBA as Director of Risk Management in 1995 and later continued as a member of TSBA Member Services. During his years with the organization, he helped train school board members throughout northwest and West Tennessee and worked closely with school systems and their directors of schools.
Phillip devoted 30 years of service to the Union City School System as a member of the Union City Board of Education from 1972 until 2002. He also served as Chairman of the Board for many years. One of his proudest accomplishments was overseeing the initial implementation of computer technology throughout the Union City School System.
His service to education extended beyond Union City. Phillip served on the TSBA All Tennessee School Board in 1989, was a Member At-Large in 1991, served as TSBA Vice President in 1992 and served as TSBA President in 1994. He was also associated with the National School Boards Association and attended its annual convention each year.
In his younger years, Phillip was actively involved in the Union City Jaycees, serving as President and being named Outstanding Young Man of the Year.
Phillip was a devoted member of St. James Episcopal Church in Union City and served as a Lay Reader for many years. His faith and commitment to his church were an important part of his life.
Outside of his professional and community service, Phillip enjoyed wood working, working with stained glass, gardening, golf and traveling with his wife. He was a charter member of the Master Gardener’s Club and a loyal member of Poplar Meadows Golf and Country Club, where he served as President for several years. His father was one of the founders of the country club, and Phillip had been part of the club since childhood.
Phillip took great pride in caring for the grounds at Poplar Meadows. Throughout the years, he planted trees and created birdhouses to designate each hole. During his retirement years, he faithfully served as club manager. In 2023, he was honored with a lifetime membership to the club in recognition of his many years of devotion and service.
Phillip will be remembered for his dedication to education, his love of community, his service to others and his lifelong commitment to the people and organizations that meant so much to him.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 45 years, Elizabeth Tillman White; daughter, Amy Jackson of Murfreesboro; son and daughter-in-law, Hank and Kathy White of Murfreesboro; son and daughter-in-law, Carlye and Emily White of Hendersonville; grandchildren, Rebecca White and Trey White of Murfreesboro and Chase White, Andrew White and Caroline White of Hendersonville; sister, Dorothy Rice of St. Augustine, Fla.; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Barry White; and sister, Dale White Hamilton.
Phillip leaves behind a legacy of service, leadership, education, faith and love for his family and community. His years of dedication touched countless lives, and he will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
Services will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday at St. James Episcopal Church, with burial to follow at East View Cemetery. Friends may call at White-Ranson Funeral Home from 4-7 p.m. Saturday. The family requests that memorials be made to St. James Episcopal Church of Union City or to a charity of choice.
Pallbearers will be Trey White, Chase White, Andrew White, Skipper White, David Hamilton, Mickey Hamilton, Larry Rice and David Johnson
Honorary Pallbearers will be Josh Johnson, Brett White, Benjamin White, Barry Rice, Zachery Rice, Dr. Pete Blanton, Sean Blanton, Carter Hooks, Don Hogan, Charles Stone, Dr. Grover Schleifer, Bedford Dunavant, Scott Denaburg and John Tanner.
The Messenger/updated