Mae Ann Owen White's Obituary
Mae Ann Owen White entered her eternal rest and went to be with the Lord Jesus on the morning of the 25th of January, 2015.
Mrs. White was a resident of Leesville and Vernon Parish. She was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on August 22, 1961. The older child of Chester Creighton and Gloria Leach Owen, Mae Ann spent nearly her entire life in Leesville. Mae Ann was a 1979 graduate of Leesville High School where she was active in many activities, including the Leesville High School Band and the Nine Club. She was an inaugural member of the Golden Cavalier Dance line when the group was formed during the 1976-77 school year. In 1979, Mae Ann won the Vernon Parish Junior Miss Pageant, competing in and representing Vernon Parish in the state competition, placing second in the talent competition.
After high school, Mrs. White attended college and was graduated from Northwestern State University with bachelor and master’s degrees in education. Upon completion of college, Mae Ann began work in the Vernon Parish School system, which would be her life-long vocation. She taught at Leesville Junior High School and eventually transitioned to Leesville High School, where she became the librarian. During her time on faculty at LHS, Mae Ann was involved in countless activities, pouring her life into the school and most importantly the students of her alma mater. She assisted with the LHS Band, choir and sponsored the LHS Quiz Bowl Team. Mae Ann was heavily involved in annual and pivotal events at LHS such as the Homecoming Assembly and spring plays; she took on all tasks, including everything from designing and constructing sets to choreographing dance routines.
Mae Ann was a decades-long student and later instructor at the Stevens School of Dance and Joan Kathey Dance Studios. From the age of three through her early 50s, Mae Ann was active in the practice and instruction of the art of dance. She touched the lives of many students and families in her area of greatest passion.
Mrs. White was born into and Christened in the United Methodist Church of Leesville. She grew up as a member of the Grace Southern Methodist Church of Leesville. Most recently, she was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Deridder Louisiana.
Mae Ann is preceded in death by her parents, Chester Creighton Owen and Gloria Leach Owen. She is survived by her son, Joseph Creighton Ledet of Lafayette, Louisiana, her husband Jamie White of Leesville, her brother Charles Owen and sister in law Carolyn Owen of Leesville, many cousins, aunts and uncles and countless students and friends. Mae Ann leaves a legacy of service, giving, and love. Mae lived her life in fullness and enjoyed spending time with family and friends, playing golf with her husband and sowing her life’s time into the needs of others.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Leesville High School Alumni Association for a special scholarship set up in the name of Mae Ann Owen White. Donations can be mailed to the Leesville High School Alumni Association Scholarship Fund, PO Box 1381, Leesville, LA 71496.
Visitation, Leesville High School, 5-8 PM, Wednesday, 28 January, 2015. Funeral will be at 4 PM on Thursday, 29 January at the First Baptist Church of Leesville under the direction of Labby Memorial Funeral Home of Leesville.
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