Elbert White

Elbert D. “Ed” White, 94, of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, passed peacefully with his family by his side on Sunday, September 28, 2025. Ed was born September 12, 1931, to the late Mary and Pinkney Dewitt White in Nakina, North Carolina. His parents raised hogs, grew tobacco and ran the town’s store and gas station. Friends and family would gather at the store on Sundays for a cold soda and a moon pie. Ed grew up in the middle of six children: Anne, Garland, Leo, Elbert, David and Betty Jo. He attended school in a one-room schoolhouse and was no stranger to hard work. From an early age he worked in the tobacco fields, and at 15 years old he began driving the local school bus. Upon graduation he immediately enlisted in the United States Navy. His love for people, finance and creativity dominated his time in the Navy. Ed was stationed in San Diego, California onboard the U.S.S. Kearsarge, CVA 33, when it was recommissioned as the first Atomic Aircraft Carrier and later assigned to the Korean conflict. He was also stationed at Treasure Island Naval Station where he ran the craft shop and supply store. After his discharge from the Navy in 1953, he went to work for Household Finance Corporation (HFC) as a Finance Manager.

While there, he met and married the love of his life Elizabeth “Liz” (Hess) White. Ed worked for HFC for 34 years and then later worked and consulted for another 10 years with the Pentagon Federal Credit Union until finally retiring. Ed and Liz were married for 70 years until her death in December 2023. Ed and Liz raised three children: Debbie, Gary, and Janice. Ed was dedicated to his family and the community. He served as a member of The Bishop McNamara High School Board of Directors for 7 years, serving as President for 3 years; he was also President of the LaReine High School Parents Club and a member of their Advisory Board of Directors. When there was no transportation in Southern Prince Georges County for children to attend parochial schools, Ed founded and operated a non-profit bus company for 7 years providing bus service for over 200 children. He was active with the Boy Scouts when Gary was a scout and often acted as Master of Ceremonies for the Bobbe’s School of Dance and Friends & Co. when Janice was in dance. Ed was a member of many civic organizations including the Junior Chamber of Commerce, the Chamber of Commerce, the Jaycees, and the Elks Lodge 2332. He received a Presidential appointment to the Local Draft Board #71 where he served as a member for twenty years and Chairman for eighteen years. He also served as Vice Chair of the Legislative Committee and Commissioner for the Prince Georges County Commission for Veterans.

Ed will be most remembered for his dedication to veterans and their families and his love and devotion to The American Legion and the Clinton American Legion Post 259. His membership began in the early 60’s at the Parkville, MD post in Baltimore prior to the family moving to the Washington area in 1963. He transferred to Post 259 when the family moved to Upper Marlboro in 1972. Ed was an honorary life member of the American Legion. He served as the 88th Maryland Department Commander of the American Legion (2004-2005), Southern Maryland District Commander (2001), Prince Georges County Commander, and two terms as Post 259 Commander. During his many years in the Legion, he served as Judge Advocate for both the Post and Southern District as well as served on many Post, Southern District, Department and National Committees. He served as a delegate at both Department and National conventions. His abilities in finance and understanding of bylaws and rules were often tapped into. Ed was known to help plan and participate in functions to help veterans re-enter the workforce. On the personable side, he was always available as master of ceremonies for functions and events. Ed was also past Commander of the Maryland District Youth Camp, Past President of Post 259 Building Fund, and Bingo Co-Chairman for 19 years. He was a member of the American Legion’s Forty and Eight Southern Maryland Voiture 265 and honorary life member of the American Legion’s Army, Navy, Air Force Veterans in Canada, United States Unit (ANAVICUS). During his final days,

Ed spoke mainly of the American Legion and the work still to be done for veterans. During his life, he worked tirelessly to promote State and Federal legislature for military veterans who gave of themselves to serve their country. He will forever be a Legionnaire and to him the Navy was “the” military service to have served in that brought him to the Legion. Ed joins his wife Elizabeth, his parents, three brothers, and two sisters in heaven. He is survived by his three children (Deborah Wilkes, Gary White, his wife Cindy, and Janice White), his ten grandchildren and his fourteen great-grandchildren. He will be forever loved and greatly missed but his commitment to advocating for veterans, his hardworking spirit, and his determined “can-do” attitude will live on in the hearts of all those that knew Ed. Service with military honors and burial will be at Maryland Veteran's Cemetery, Cheltenham, on November 6, 2025, at 11:15 a.m. The Post Everlasting Ceremony and Celebration of Life to honor Ed’s life and service will be held at 12:30, immediately following the Cheltenham service at the American Legion Post 259, 9122 Piscataway Road, Clinton, Maryland 20735. Family and friends are welcome to attend both the service at Cheltenham and at the American Legion Post.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations be made to one of two of Ed’s favorite Legion programs he supported for years – Boys State or the American Legion Southern MD District Youth Camp. He was so proud to have had 2 grandsons attend Boys State and the Youth Camp took him back to his time with his son in the Boy Scouts. The information to donate is:

1. The Maryland Boys State program is an American Legion program that teaches Highschool Juniors about government and civic leadership. This program is run annually by the MD Department, usually at a deficit, so donations to it will be greatly accepted Check donations should be made out to: The American Legion Department of Maryland, 101 N Gay Street, Baltimore, MD 21202. Make note in memo on check: Boys State Program-In memory of Ed White.

2. The Southern Maryland Youth Camp is a Region program that provides facilities for youth programs year-round. It is most often reserved by many Boy Scout troops for their programs, and at times to other youth organizations as well. The Region relies solely on Veterans donations for year-round maintenance, and youth program grants of the State of Maryland for its higher cost projects like replacing water wells and roofs. Check donations should be made out to: The Southern Maryland Region, PO Box 30, Clinton, MD 20735. Make note I. Memo on check: Youth Camp Facility-In memory of Ed White.