Moreland Boyd White Sr.

Moreland Boyd White Sr., member of a pioneer Mississippi County family, died Monday, February 14 in Baptist Memorial Hospital in Osceola. He was born May 28, 1924, to Godfrey Llewellyn White and Carolyn Binford White in Crawfordsville, Indiana. He attended Darlington School in Rome, Georgia, and graduated from Osceola High School. He then served in the United States Navy and later attended the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, where he was a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity. Boyd followed in the family farming business and lived most of his life in the home of his grandparents who came to Mississippi County from Spartanburg, South Carolina, in the 1890s. He and his father, Godfrey, were innovators in commercial vegetable farming and canning. Boyd and his sons Moreland and Godfrey continued the farming tradition for the fourth generation. He was an active member of the Osceola Presbyterian Church, where he served as a deacon. He was an avid Razorback fan and loved the game of golf. Boyd was preceded in death by his father and mother Godfrey and Carolyn White, his beloved step-mother Jayne Conway White Leech, and his brother, John Binford White. He is survived by his wife, Peggy St. John White and his children, Moreland Boyd White Jr. (Christie), Carolyn White Ellis (Charles), and Godfrey St. John White (Lucy); his grandchildren, Mary Boyd Ellis, Michael Ellis (Arcely), Elizabeth White, Sarah White, Emily Ellis Fann (Seth), and Godfrey St. John White Jr.; and great-grandchildren, Caleb and Abby Fann and Katie Ellis. He leaves his sisters, Dr. Anne White Connell and Llewellyn White Bell. A graveside service will be held Wednesday, February 16 at 11 a.m. at Mississippi County Memorial Gardens with Father Scott Trotter officiating. In lieu of flowers, contributions to a church or charity of your choice are requested.