Arnold E. White, Jr.

Nothing compared to waking up to the faint sound of a percussion on an early Saturday morning. His tough strong hands would gently beat his Congas as he swayed from left to right, grooving to his own beats while biting his lips. His hands and body appeared massive as he created sounds that could wake up a neighborhood and give Watts a soundtrack. The sound he made caused movement in the soul and would change the atmosphere as he played in drum circles with unknown, but gifted musicians at Will Rogers Park. You could hear “Pefi,” you knew it was his hands producing that feeling inside you- it was his beat and his beat will continue to play on. You cannot say “Pefi” and his name not conjure up some positive feeling or memory. His mother, Georgia Ann and father, Arnold E. White Sr. must have known that their eldest son, born Saturday, November 15, 1941 at 7:55 am in a little town called Temple in Texas, would be quite unique. His mother was sure to record every detail about his birth and early years of life, from his Aunt, Mrs. Sarah Lee Brooks who was also his nurse and his first barber to the details of who contributed to making his little world happy and meaningful. His mother wrote him a message before he could speak, “I want you to always be sweet and remember to love everybody, be nice to everyone and the Lord will bless you in the days to come.” Signed “Mother.” Pefi would fulfill his mother’s desire while living out his life walking to the beat of his own rhythm. Five more siblings were born, and in 1952, the family waved goodbye as they relocated from the small town of Temple, Texas to the progressive city of Los Angeles, California. Pefi would begin his adventure and would develop a passion for football as he played at Jordan High School, but also said that becoming a percussionist was more important. After high school he married Garnetta “Jackie” White on September 17, 1962. To this union, two sons were born, Arnold E. White III and Nathaniel Moses White (preceded in death on April 26, 1964). His life would be filled with youthful transitions and his journey continued when he began dating his junior high school crush, Elizabeth Lynch, who was affectionately known as “Ann.” They would marry on April 27, 1968 and to this union, three daughters were born-Rebecca Georgia Ann (“Betha”); Arnetta (“Nimit”), and Gail (“Tapalapas”). Pefi was a dreamer and unafraid to engage in recreational and professional endeavors that expanded his family’s perspective of life. He loved working hard- from becoming a forestry fire fighter (briefly) to becoming an accomplished musician. His wife and children watched him leave every morning before sunrise to go to work as an equipment operator at Caltrans for 33 years. He never once

complained about work demands, but modeled a work ethic that his children would emulate. It was not only about work for Pefi, he made sure to take his wife and children to national parks, camp-grounds, fishing, road trips to the south, unplanned excursions to Las Vegas, and cafes along the Coast just because it was a Saturday morning. He would refer to scenic locations associated with the names of his girls, such as “Ann’s Bay” or “Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Gail.” His children knew that if he referred to “Pefi’s Rock” that they would be spending a day in Point Mugu. He and Ann would pack their children, their nephews, nieces, and neighborhood kids in the family van annually to enjoy a long day at the Pomona Fair. He exposed his children to beauty, the best of food, the best of God’s creation, the best of music, and the best of humor. He had a way of making the most painful experiences much lighter. Pefi was made for living expansively- he pursued the passions of his heart from building a mini farm in the backyard to raise roller birds, tortoises, pheasants, ducks, dogs, rabbits, and cats, and wearing Cowboy hats, boots, ponchos, to complete the part. He allowed his daughter “Tapalapas” to charge a small entry fee for the neighborhood kids to visit and pet the animals. For those who knew him- he loved the Dallas Cowboys and Raiders and maintained hope for the Cowboys until the end. He enjoyed spending time with his nieces & nephews and they always had a good time with “Uncle P.” That is who he was, a creator of great memories and he continued to do so until his transition from this earth to eternal life on September 11, 2019. Those who were awaiting his presence were his precious wife of 32 years, Elizabeth Ann, his son- Nathaniel Moses, his parents- Arnold and Georgia Ann, his brothers- Jimmie Will (Nadine) and Larry Douglas, a sister-in-law, Rhonda Lynn White & brother-in-law, Roosevelt Caldwell. He leaves to carry on his legacy: his son, Arnold E. White III (Dee); daughters, Rebecca White, Arnetta White-Mack & Gail White-Biggers (Eric); fourteen (14) grandchildren and three (3) great-children. Three (3) siblings, Addie Caldwell and the twins- Eddie White, Sr. and Nettie Corbin. He also carried love for all his nieces, nephews & cousins, but had a special love for his niece, Lorita “Ree” White, with whom he spent the final years of his life. Obituary written by Gail White-Biggers, daughter #3

~ Processional ~ Prayer.........................................................................Stacy Augustine-Cousin Scripture (Psalm 23)........................... Minister Trai Evans-Grandson-in-law Selection………………….“I Won’t Complain”............... Pastor A.L. Smith Acknowledgements .........................................................Jeanne White-Niece Special Remarks .....................................................Larry Joe White-Nephew Johnny Blair-Cousin DeJaun Blackburn-Nephew Garnetta “Jackie” White-First Wife Remarks........................................................................Limit 2 Minutes Please Slideshow……………………………... ................................... “Pefi’s World” Obituary...................................................................... Bryan Mack-Grandson Selection…………………”To God Be The Glory” ................... Eva Jackson Eulogy..........................................................................Pastor Eric D. Biggers Son-in-Law ~ Parting View ~ Recessional ........................................................................................................ Interment Inglewood Park Cemetery (Manchester Entrance) Repast Lavender Blue Restaurant & Lounge 3310 W. Manchester Blvd, Inglewood, CA 90305 (Street parking & free public parking lot across the street, next to 3333 W. Manchester Blvd.)











EXPRESSIONS OF LOVE….



ACTIVE PALLBEARERS Larry Joe White Drake Lyles Antwian Smith Micah White Antonio White Jerome “J-Man” Fenner HONORARY PALLBEARERS Eddie White, Sr. Derek White Arnold White, III Martin W hite Diamond Robinson Len White Daniel Smith DeJaun Blackburn Devereaux Smith Anthony Smith, Jr. Bryan Mack Kenneth Williams, Sr. Jimmie White, Jr. Kenneth Williams, Jr. Ossie White Brandon Tucker Malcolm White Pookie Lynch Samuel Corbin, Sr. Robert Lynch, Jr. Samuel Corbin, Jr. Larry Mosley Manuel Corbin A special thank you to the medical and nursing teams at Providence Little Company of Mary San Pedro, Los Palos Convalescent & Vida Hospice for the care provided to Arnold during the final months of his life; and to his nephew Larry Joe who cared for him during his final weeks... until his very last breath. May God bless you richly for your kindness. *** The family wishes to acknowledge the comforting messages, prayers and other expressions of love during our time of bereavement. Obituaries designed with love by daughter #2—Arnetta White-Mack MACK ENTERPRISES UNLIMITED (323) 789-6224