October 19, 1926 – June 3, 2024
WANCHESE — Faye Baum White, 97 years young, slipped the bonds of Earth on June 3, 2024, and left to join her husband, mother and father, and brothers, all who went before to welcome her. She was the widow of Edward Joseph White (U.S. Army, Ret.), who loved her unconditionally with all his heart. They shared 54 years of marriage together.
Born in Wanchese, NC, she was the daughter of Wayland and Vivian Baum, and the sister of William “Billy” Baum and Harry L. Baum. She graduated from Manteo High School and after graduation, she and her best friend, Helen Farrow Gaskins, moved to Norfolk, VA, to live with her aunt, Ophelia Baum Smith, while they attended Kee’s Business College. Upon graduation, she began her working career. She worked briefly with Andy Griffith, taking dictation at his home in Manteo while he was portraying Sir Walter Raleigh in the Lost Colony outdoor drama. She liked to share a story over the years that Andy once borrowed $20 from her, and he never paid it back. She felt he owed her $20, and a great deal of interest.
In 1947, she married Morris L. Daughtry from Newport News, VA, and had two daughters, Marcia and Lee. When the marriage ended, she returned to Wanchese with her girls. In early 1957, Faye was persuaded by Emily Lou Tillett to stop in for a beer after work at the local watering hole, the Drafty Tavern. Though she had never visited “the Drafty” before, she decided to go in with Emily Lou. While they sat at a table, a handsome young army man kept trying to get her to come over to his table. She wouldn’t do it. Soon he walked over to their table and asked if she would go out with him. After considering, she said no. But he was persistent and wore her down. She finally said “Yes, but only if you don’t wear those ugly yellow pants again.” That was the beginning of their lifelong love affair. Later in 1957, she married that army man, Edward White, a future career military man, her lifelong partner and soulmate, and a wonderful father to her two young girls.
Over the years their family lived in numerous states in the U.S. and overseas in Augsburg, Heidelberg and Frankfurt, Germany between 1960 – 1972. They traveled extensively while in Europe, including Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, including Holland, Belgium and Luxembourg, France, Switzerland, Italy and Austria. The also enjoyed travel in the U.S., Canada and the Maritimes.
Faye was employed as an executive secretary wherever she lived with her family. She worked as a secretary for Dick Jordan with the Lost Colony Outdoor Drama and occasionally for Aycock Brown. She was employed by a major Norfolk, VA shipping company, the American Red Cross, and the American Occupational Therapy Association both in Germany and in the U.S. She never had any difficulty gaining and keeping employment, as she was well-liked and respected by all her work colleagues.
In 1972, the family returned to the U.S., residing in Maryland until 1995, when the couple moved back to Wanchese and built their “forever” home in Baumtown, NC, living right next to the home she and her brothers were born in. She and Eddie lived in Baumtown and enjoyed many winters in Florida during their motorhome travels until Eddie’s death in 2011.
She is survived by two daughters, Marcia Coleman and Karen Eagan (Mark); four grandchildren, Christopher, Kimberly, Kacey, and Kara; and four great-grandchildren, Christian, Brody, Jaxon, and Westin. She is also survived by wonderful nieces and nephews: Wanda Kay, Anna Mae, Judy Faye, Joanne, Harry Jr., and Tony. She was preceded in death by her nephew, Jerrold Craig. And, last but not least, she is survived by her little Malti-poo white shadow, Holly, who never left her side.
She was a member of Bethany United Methodist Church of Wanchese. She enjoyed her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, travel, practicing her shorthand skills, dancing, playing piano and organ, gardening, word games, storytelling, and ice cream.
She loved to laugh and, as a young woman, enjoyed a full and rich life, making many friends and memories. She and Helen spent many weekend nights dancing at the Casino in Nags Head until the bands stopped playing. If there is a dance floor behind those pearly gates, she and Helen will be kicking up their heels until that music stops.
She will be remembered as a loving and giving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She leaves behind a void we can never fill, but we know she’s resting in His everlasting arms.
A memorial service will be held in the Bethany Church of Wanchese on June 28, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. Fellowship will follow in the church hall.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, if possible, please consider a donation in Faye’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association at act.alz.org or to Hospice at MAS/Albemarle Home Care and Hospice, 1507 N. Road St. #2, Elizabeth City, NC 27909.
Twiford Funeral Homes, Outer Banks, is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.TwifordFH.com.
