Funeral program for Pefi. Sept. 21, 2019

2. 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

3. 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

4. ~ 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.)

10. EXPRESSIONS OF LOVE….

12. ACTIVE PALLBEARERS
Larry Joe White Drake Lyles
Antwian Smith Micah White
Antonio White Jerome “J-Man” Fenner
HONORARY PALLBEARERS
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
Eddie White, Sr.
Arnold White, III
Diamond Robinson
Daniel Smith
Devereaux Smith
Bryan Mack
Jimmie White, Jr.
Ossie White
Malcolm White
Samuel Corbin, Sr.
Samuel Corbin, Jr.
Manuel Corbin
Derek White
Martin W hite
Len White
DeJaun Blackburn
Anthony Smith, Jr.
Kenneth Williams, Sr.
Kenneth Williams, Jr.
Brandon Tucker
Pookie Lynch
Robert Lynch, Jr.
Larry Mosley