ELNORA WHITE is a name that, indeed, could be considered a blast from the past when her obituary (“Elnora J. White, 93, grocer, activist”) appeared in the Houston Chronicle’s July 17, 2002 edition, insofar as it stirred fond memories of Houston, Texas’ proud Fifth Ward Community’s greatest era. Louis White’s Grocery Store, in the 4100 block of Lyons Avenue@Benson, was the centerpiece of what had grown into an elite business district. Louis White’s was the first Black-owned fully stocked grocery store in the city.

The store eventually would be surrounded by the Lyons Theatre, a Post Office, The Beal Medical Clinic, Mudine’s Drug Store, Burnett and Helen Ross’s Ice Cream Parlor, Charlie Crawford’s Square Deal Barber Shop #2, that shared space with his wife Esque’s Beauty Shop and Atty. Francis William’s law office where Congresswoman Barbara Jordan began her practice. Lest we forget, the La Joya, Houston’s first Black owned jazz club would come later. In that general vicinity is also where County Commissioner El Franco Lee was born (Lee’s mother owned Avenue Eat Shop) and the late Congressman Mickey Leland grew up a stone’s throw from Rep. Harold V. Dutton, Jr. on Rawley Street.
However, this history is about a grand lady, whose life was celebrated on July 17, 2002 at St. Mary of Purification Catholic Church, 3006 Rosedale, with song and words of praise from Brian White, Freda Malone, Gerard Green, Craig, Brian Jr. and Charles (Chuck) White. Fr. Borgia Aubespin, S.V.D. rendered the homily. Craig White, Michael White, Brian White, Rick Fontenot, Ron Putterman, Alan Putterman, Don Flenoy and Ron Moss were pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers were: Seniors in Action, Men’s Choir, Lloyd Nelson, Genevieve Rousseve, Ella Thomas, Will Hypolite, Marva Fontenot, Virginia Wright, Daisy D. Hannah and Sharon Martin.

Lady White, was born August 30, 1909 in Bossier City, Louisiana to Mary and Johnnie Jones. However, she didn’t began to add her page in Houston’s Black History books, until she finished in Phillis Wheatley’s second class in 1928 and married her husband Louis White in 1929. White was already well on his way to becoming an entrepreneur and lead. Although the grocery store was the Whites’ vocation, there avocation was raising outstanding sons, especially Charles (Chuck) who was among the first wave of future leaders to grow up in his neighborhood.

A block from White’s grocery is where pioneer Texas government official H. “Bud” King and Dr. Otis King grew up, along with Dr. Gurnie Piersall and the late John Peavy’s children. Charles was also best friends with the late Dr. Roy “Bo-Bo” Crawford and one of the founding members of Wheatley’s famous Beau Brummel’s Club. Mrs. White referred to most of the kids growing up near the grocery store as “my boys,” which was the same as being knighted by one of the “Queen Mothers” in the community. Mrs. White, who was 93-years-old when she passed away on July 13, 2002, was presented with numerous proclamations and awards from dignitaries.
Those honoring Lady White were the President of the United States, the Texas Legislature, the Governor and the mayor, when she was honored on her 80th birthday.

Nevertheless, her true legacy was service to her community and imbuing the same virtues in her children that sustained her throughout her struggles for civil rights. Cherishing the memories of their mother, who always carried herself with poise and dignity are Louis, Jr., who lives in Austin; Chuck of Columbus Ohio and Lawrence White who still lives in Houston.
Mrs. White, who 10 siblings, is also survived by her sister Susie Lewis of Houston and Jane King of Los Angeles, California.