[Greater-Baltimore] [MDABS] Sad News: Passing of Joe White

[Preston Gaylor]

For sure, a great member indeed rest in peace and we are keeping on prayer.
Sincerely, yours,
Preston.


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Sent: Friday, 31 July 2026 20:23:42
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Subject: [MDABS] Sad News: Passing of Joe White


Friends,



I am sorry to share that Joe White passed away on July 28, 2026, at the age of 83 after a very long illness.  Joe and his wife, Loretta, were previously long-time members of the Maryland Organization of Parents of Blind Children in the 1980s and 1990s, before moving out of state (North Carolina and Indiana) when they retired.  Joe was also a member of the NFB of Maryland Board of Directors in the 1990s.  Joe leaves behind his loving wife, Loretta, 12 children, including Nicole White who is known to many of you, 19 grandchildren, and 8 great grandchildren.



Joe served his country first in the United States Navy and later as a research and development engineer with the aerospace industry, including with NASA during the early Apollo program.



Joe was well-known for playing Santa Claus at the MDPOBC holiday party.  He also worked tirelessly behind the scenes on parent division tasks and operations and was a strong mentor for other parents of blind children.  He and Loretta were the first parents of blind children to receive the NFBMD Kenneth Jernigan Award.



Services will take place in Burlington, North Carolina on August 3, 2026.  The obituary link is below.  The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland (https://nfbmd.org/donate).



https://www.lowefuneralhome.com/obituaries/joseph-white



Those wishing to send condolences to Loretta may contact her at:

508 W 1050N

Fortville, IN 46040



Please keep Joe, Loretta, Nicole, and all who loved Joe in your thoughts and prayers.



Regards,

Ronza





Ronza Othman, President

National Federation of the Blind of Maryland

443-426-4110

Pronouns: she, her, hers



Need to meet with me?  Please use this link to schedule through Calendly<https://calendly.com/president-nfbmd/30min>.



The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back.