Frances White

Obituary For Frances White

Our beloved Frances O. White was born to the late James and Harriet Barksdale Kates in Halifax County, Virginia. She was one of ten children.

She attended the public school system in Chatham, Virginia. During her time in Chatham, Frances was united in marriage to the late James White and they relocated to Harrisburg, PA.

After moving to Harrisburg, she became a homemaker, staying at home and caring for her children. In fact, years later, she had a home-based childcare business for 10 to 15 years where she was the provider of care for the children of a schoolteacher, family friends and her own granddaughter.

She lived a simple life, but always found time for caring gestures, including sending cards to her family for all occasions. She placed value in the thoughtful words that she sent and so she always selected beautiful Hallmark Cards as a symbol of the care that she showed. Through many years, she frequently wrote heartwarming letters to stay connected, and she had excellent penmanship.

Frances deeply loved God, her family and her church family at Mt. Calvary Church of God in Christ. Mother White, as she was affectionally and respectfully referred to, was a devoted member of Mt. Calvary COGIC in Harrisburg. Her personal “ministry” was that she enjoyed encouraging people and sending loving messages via cards and telephone calls. She always had a big smile for everyone and she was loved by all.

Frances loved Christian music and enjoyed a wide range of artists from Shirley Ceasar and the Canton Spirituals to the Bill Gaither Homecoming. She frequently listened to sermons from a variety of ministers, but her greatest blessing was listening to her late pastor, Elder D. R. Gilmore.

Over many years, Frances and her daughter, Diane, loved to walk everywhere. They were constant companions and as close as a mother and daughter could be. They would be frequently seen downtown or at the Broad Street Market or any place that they just wanted to check out that day.

Frances’ favorite hobby was cultivating plants and flowers. She had an amazing green thumb and would keep plants flourishing for years. She always appreciated receiving flowers and balloons from family and church members.

She peacefully departed this life on Friday, May 22, 2026. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband; sons, Calvin Bowe and Rodney “Buster” White and siblings, Leon Kates, Mary E. Logan Farmer, James Willis Kates, Catherine McMillan, John Kates, Ruby Dalton, Robert Kates and Carrol Kates.

Frances leaves to mourn her homegoing, her daughter, Diane White; two sons, Thomas “Bug” Kates (Tina) and Jarvis Kates (Loretta) and her “other daughter,” Brenda Kates. Her legacy will live on through her eight grandchildren, Tanisha Kates, Tracy Kates, Brandon Kates, Dr. Charity Kates, Jason Kates, Nehemiah Kates, Calvin Witcher and Christopher Bowe; four great-grandchildren, DeAndre Kates, Joshua Kates, Micah Souley and David Kates and one great-great-grandson, KeAndre Kates; her sister, Sally Walton; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

She will be deeply missed but forever remembered.

Her life will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, May 29, 2026 in the Sanctuary of Mt. Calvary Church of God in Christ, 1830 N. 5th Street, Harrisburg with viewing and visitation from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. and burial in William Howard Day Cemetery.

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