Dr. Ralph Lee White

Ralph Lee White was born on March 23, 1931 in Madisonville, Tennessee. Being orphaned at the age of five, Ralph grew up during the Great Depression. He credited his survival during this era to the love bestowed by his late Aunt Mary and Uncle Lee, brothers James and Kenneth, the many meaningful childhood relationships made in the small southern town of Sweetwater, TN; and particularly, to his fourth grade teacher, Miss Mattie Mae Lacy. He also credited great opportunities awarded through public education and the GI Bill. Ralph graduated from Sweetwater High School in 1949 and later enrolled at Tennessee Wesleyan University. In 1950, he was called to into active duty to serve in the Korean War and later participated in the first military experiment with the exposure of troops to an atomic bomb detonation. Upon returning from Korea, he taught as a history teacher and football coach at his high school alma mater before completing his master’s degree at Vanderbilt’s Peabody College. He completed his Doctorate of Education at the University of Tennessee in 1960. Ralph and his wife Graciela were married for 57 years and raised four sons: Abe, Tom, Andrew, Patrick, and a daughter, Graciela Lea. Serving as a college professor, Ralph taught at Furman University, Kansas State University, and the University of Southern Mississippi. From 1967 to 1995, he served at Middle Tennessee State University as the chairman of the Educational Leadership department. Ralph White devoted his professional life promoting the value of American public education and equal opportunity. During the turbulent period of the 1960’s, Ralph White hired the first African-American professor at MTSU and the first African-American teacher at MTSU Campus School. A history scholar, Ralph White shared many personal stories and his love of history with his family--especially the principles of our Founding Fathers. His first three sons were named after Lincoln, Jefferson, and Jackson, respectively. Living and embodying the fundamental belief that “all men are created equal,” Ralph White daily modeled the principles of tolerance, respect, and non-judgment. Ralph Lee White was a selfless man of honesty, integrity, and responsibility, and taught his children to embrace these values. He is deeply loved and cherished by his wife, children, daughters- in-law: Michelle, Beth, and Catherine White, Son-in-law, Kenneth Bryant, and grandchildren: Kyle, Hunter, Shelby, Tori, Andrew, Jackson, Kenny, and Sarita and one great-grandchild, Tatum Snyder. On Saturday, May 9, 2:00 PM, Military Honors will be held followed by a Celebration of Life Services at Sweetwater Memorial Gardens, 1838 Hwy 11 North, Sweetwater, TN 37874 In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Dr. Ralph White Scholarship Fund, Sweetwater High School, 414 S High St., Sweetwater, TN 37874

Dr. Ralph Lee White

March 23, 1931 - May 2, 2015