Rotary honors farming community, past member at Rural Urban Day

P.H. White's family attended the newly named P.H. White Jr. Memorial Rotary Rural Urban Day. The event paid tribute to the local farming community and honored White for his contributions to the Dyersburg Rotary Club and Dyer County. From left: Dr. Pierce White (son), Polly White (wife), Finley White (granddaughter) and Sharon Horner (P.H. White's secretary of 38 years).

P.H. White was a 34-year member of the Dyersburg Rotary Club. He came up with the idea of Rural Urban Day as a way to honor farmers and the members of the agricultural community with a day of great food and fellowship. He passed away in June of last year and the event was renamed P.H. White Jr. Memorial Rotary Rural Urban Day in his honor. [Click to enlarge]

P.H White Jr. (also known to his friends as P.W.) was a member of the Dyersburg Noon Rotary Club for 34 years. White wanted to honor his fellow farmers and the people who support them with a day of great food and fellowship, thus Rural Urban Day was created. Last June, White passed away. His fellow Rotarians wanted to pay tribute to a man that meant so much to them by honoring him with an event he cherished.

Noon Rotary President Glendora Greenway welcomed everyone to the event and acknowledged those that made it possible. She also presented a check to Rotary District Governor Bob Maness for Shelter Boxes. These boxes are provided to victims of earthquake, volcano, flood, hurricane, cyclone, tsunami or conflict. Each box supplies an extended family of up to 10 people with a tent and lifesaving equipment to use while they are displaced or homeless. The contents are also tailored to the nature and location of the disaster.

Milton Magee gave remarks regarding White at the event. He noted White was raised in Dyer County and graduated from the University of Tennessee College of Agriculture. He also served as a lieutenant in the Army.

White raised registered Hereford cattle and served as director and president of the American Hereford Association. He operated a company that manufactured and sold cattle rubs, which he invented and patented. White was also on the Board of Directors of First Citizens National Bank for over 30 years.

Milton Magee (left) presents P.H. White's wife, Polly, with a plaque containing White's Rotary badge and a ticket to P.H. White Jr. Memorial Rotary Rural Urban Day. [Click to enlarge]

"P.W. had many things that he was passionate about," said Magee. " He loved his family."

White and his wife, Polly, were married almost 57 years. Magee also said White loved his children; Nancy Marion, Sally and Pierce

"His grandchildren also brought him great joy," said Magee.

He then called Polly White to the stage and presented her with a plaque containing P.H. White's Rotary pin and a ticket to the day's event.

The Cane Ridge Boys were the afternoon's entertainment, playing such bluegrass hits as "Foggy Mountain Breakdown" and the crowd favorite "There's A Snake In the House".

Polly White said P.H. White was very passionate about his civic service and Rural Urban Day.

"He loved Rotary and this particular event," said White. "I thought it was appropriate."

Greenway said the event was a big success with a larger-than-normal turnout. She also noted it was hard to imagine White not being there.

"It was pretty emotional honoring P.W.," said Greenway. "He was loved by everybody and it was a great day."

The flyer for the event told about White's involvement in Rural Urban Day. The final two paragraphs of the description read:

Around 450 people came to the event, hosted by the Dyersburg Rotary Club. Members of the Breakfast Rotary and Newbern Rotary Clubs also purchased tickets to be given away. Guests were served pork steak with several side dishes.

"Our club is not the same without him, but is better for having had him as a member. Even through the bad days he had, he was smiling and making our days better. He was a true Southern Gentleman. P.H., We love you and miss you. We know you are at the right hand of God looking down on us. We hope we pleased you with our 14th annual Rural Urban Day."