Valla Jo White

Valla Jo Carman White passed from this life on Monday, July 25, 2011, at the home of her daughter and under the care of family and hospice. Valla Jo was born on June 27, 1926, in Jonesboro, Ark., to James David and Dollie Mae Stevenson. They precede her in death as well as her only sibling Ralph Stevenson. She married Warren Talmadge Carman on Feb. 7, 1947, in St. Louis, Mo. They moved to Doniphan, Mo., and lived there for 18 years. She worked in and later owned the Beauty Shop on the courthouse square. While there they had three children, Gwenn, Greg and Brad Carman. In 1966, they moved to Poplar Bluff where she worked in health care, retail and eventually opened another beauty shop in her home. Warren passed away in 1998. In 2000 she married Warner S. White of Poplar Bluff. He preceded her in death on Dec. 27, 2010. Valla Jo lived the remainder of her life in the care of Gwenn Shanks in Paducah, Ky. She is survived by daughter, Gwenn Shanks and husband, Vernon, parents of Mrs. Laura Braley, Sarah Shanks, Mrs. Rachel Spees, Mrs. Ellen Kenny and Jacob Shanks; Greg Carman and wife, Karen, parents of Jeremy and Stevenson Carman; Brad Carman and wife, Gail, parents of Mrs. Amy McIlhaney, Carrie Jo Carman, Allan Carman and Mrs. Dani Reed. Valla Jo enjoyed the favor of 11 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Valla Jo loved Jesus and lived her life accordingly, as a Bible school teacher for many years and was known for innumerable acts of charity, kindness and love in his name. Until recently she was able to glorify God with an amazing alto voice. She was a member of the Green Forest Church of Christ and later attended the Broadway Church of Christ of Paducah.