Dewey White
Dewey Anderson White Jr (born January 28, 1923 in Atlanta, Georgia; died October 24, 2013 in Mountain Brook) was a pediatrician, farmer and state legislator.
White was raised in Atlanta and attended Boys High School (now Henry W. Grady High School). He earned his bachelor's degree at Birmingham-Southern College and attended medical school at the Alabama School of Medicine in Tuscaloosa before completing medical school at the University of Virginia in 1947. After two years serving with the U.S. Navy in World War II he returned to Birmingham to complete his pediatric residency at Children's Hospital.
White established his practice in a former residence at 31 Church Street, across from Crestline Elementary School in Mountain Brook's Crestline Village, and became a trusted family physician during his long practice. He also kept active in hospital service as President of Staff at Children's Hospital and as one of the founders and chiefs of staff of pediatric care at Montclair Baptist Medical Center. In the mid-1970s, White left his private practice, but continued as a professor of pediatrics and medical director of student health at UAB until he retired in 1987.
White was an avid part-time farmer and owned a sod farm in Montevallo, a peach orchard in Thorsby, and a blueberry farm in Pelham.
White won a seat in the Alabama House of Representatives representing District 31 in 1974 and District 11 in the Alabama State Senate in 1978. While in the Senate he chaired the Health and Welfare committee and co-sponsored legislation to create the Alabama Department of Environmental Management and the Alabama Commission of Environmental Management to oversee it. He did not seek re-election in 1982.
After leaving office, White was appointed to the Alabama Commission of Environmental Management, serving through 1992. He remained active in civic and charitable pursuits during his retirement. He served on the boards of Young Life, Youth For Christ, the Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council, Kirkwood by the River. He was especially active on the board of The King's Ranch and served a two-year term as executive director when founder Tom Owen stepped down. He also chaired the committee that constructed the Colonial Chapel at American Village in Montevallo. White was also a deacon, elder, trustee, Presbytery representative, and Sunday School teacher at South Highland Presbyterian Church. He personally led efforts to add a cross on the roof of the church during its 2008 renovation.
White died in 2013. He was survived by his wife, Lillian, four children, thirteen grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren.
| Preceded by: ? |
Alabama State Representative, District 31 1975 - 1979 |
Succeeded by: Bill Cabaniss |
| Preceded by: George McMillan |
Alabama State Senate, District 11 1979 - 1983 |
Succeeded by: Bill Cabaniss |
References
- "Dewey White Jr." obituary (October 24, 2013) The Birmingham News
- Garrison, Greg (November 3, 2013) "Pediatrician, legislator, children's advocate was a 'Doctor of Hope'." The Birmingham News