Darold James White III

Darold James White, III passed away surrounded by his family on Wednesday, September 20, 2023 after a short battle with aggressive cancer.

Graveside services will be held at 2:00 on Sunday, September 24, 2023 at Forest Lawn Memory Gardens, 7774-A Highway 39 North in Meridian.

Darold was a graduate of Meridian High School and Meridian Community College. He retired after 41 years at Rush Hospital having followed his father’s footsteps working in the purchasing department, dietary, mail room, and medical records. He was a member of Poplar Springs Methodist Church.

Darold enjoyed the rich history of Mississippi, Meridian and Lauderdale County, fine antiques, old school annuals, collectible memorabilia and old historic houses. He could look at a prominent house around Meridian and tell you who all lived there. If he could, he would have saved all the remaining old homes and buildings. Expanding his rental business allowed him to restore several turn-of-the-century homes in Meridian, just to save them for future generations to enjoy. His collection of antique radios, books and albums are something he enjoyed most of all.

 Darold was a true unsung hero who in 2007 began volunteering his time and resources, until 5 days prior to his death, to cleaning the forgotten cemeteries along 10th Ave in an effort to pay respect to the many veterans buried in each one. This Spring alone, he bought 4 new push mowers and 3 new chain saws in his attempt to keep them cleaned up. He had a passion for old cemeteries and would go out and clean the headstones so that people could remember who was buried there. Not once did anyone offer to help pay for the upkeep of these cemeteries and that never once bothered Darold. That was his passion project and he did it out of love and respect for others.

Darold had a giving spirit about his soul. If he remotely thought one of his friends needed something, he was going to make sure they got what they needed and never expected anything in return.

He is survived by his 5 rescue dogs that he dearly loved: June Bug, Lou Lou, Baby Girl, Sabrina and Boo Boo along with his nephews Jerame Windham Campbell and husband Jeremy Campbell,  Mark J. Ange, II and Justice Neese along with his nieces Casey and husband Chris Neese and Sarah Elizabeth Neese and his special friends, Emma Ezell  and Charles “Chuck” Hopkins. And by his work associates, Michael Reed, Rennie Brewer and Christine Robinson.

He is proceeded in death by his parents, Darold James “Bud” White, Jr. and Dorothy Sable White and his brother Joe Aubrey White.

In leu of flowers, the family requests memorials may be made to Merrehope’s Restoration Campaign, the Lauderdale County Animal Shelter or the VFW.

Honorary pallbearers will be Jeremy Louis Campbell, Michael Reed, Christopher Neese, Justice Neese, Mark J. Ange, II and Charles “Chuck” Hopkins.

The family would like to extend a true heartfelt thanks to the staff of Harper’s Hospice and Chassity McGraw, who truly brought peace and comfort during his final days on Earth. There is no doubt he knew he was loved and well take care of.