Betty White

Betty Jo Turner Swope White (BJ) died peacefully July 4, 2013 at Brown Memorial in Circleville, Ohio. She was born September 10, 1921 in Youngstown Ohio to Troy and Sadie Turner. She graduated from Wittenberg University in 1943, where she was a member of Gamma Phi Beta Sorority. She then studied electrical engineering at Carnegie Institute of Technology and worked at Westinghouse as an engineer during WWII.

BJ married Henry Swope in 1945; together they had 3 daughters, Marnee, Sally and Susie. The family lived in Circleville from 1951- 1965. After their divorce, she moved to Upper Arlington with her daughters. BJ earned her master’s degree at OSU in student personnel (1965) and worked at OSU for 20 years in various departments of student housing, off campus housing and with international students.


In 1972, BJ married Jack H. White. They had 11 wonderful years together, spending time with their daughters, and sharing a love of travel, sporting events, the symphony, and special love of literature.

She was active in Childhood League Assisting Board II, Buckeye Boys Ranch, Women’s Association of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, and her book club for over 30 years.

BJ was preceded in death by her husband Jack (1983), her parents, Sadie (1950), Troy (1970), favorite Aunt, Marjorie (1985), sister Virginia (1993), step daughter Cory White Terry (2001).

She is survived by her 3 daughters Marnee Swope Colburn, Providence RI, Sally Swope (Rick Lawton) San Francisco, CA, and Susie Swope Dunlap (John) Williamsport, Ohio. BJ was a step-mother to two special women, Kelly White Stevens and Tina White Hoffman (Eddie) both of Columbus. She was “Baba” to 7 grandchildren, Zachary Dunlap (Abby) of Vienna, VA; Amelia Dunlap Minerd (Matt) of Columbus; Adam Colburn of Melbourne, Australia; Ben Colburn of San Francisco, CA; Peter Hoffman of Chicago, IL; Grace Hoffman, Columbus and Dorothy Terry-Smith (Scott) of Marysville. Baba was great-grandmother to James and Thomas Dunlap of Vienna, VA. She is also survived by nephews, Chris (Debbie), Eric (Kristy) and Lance (Mia) Carlson, and dear friends Clydene Edmonds of PA and Jennette Henney of Columbus.
Special Thanks to Barbara Ashton, Brown Memorial and Heartland Hospice for the wonderful care they provided BJ at the end of her life.

In lieu of flowers, contributions are suggested to honor BJ’s love of the Arts. Donations may be made to the Columbus Symphony Orchestra (55 E. State St. Cols, 43215) or to your local library.

Friends may gather on Sunday July 28 from 2-4 pm in the Parish Hall of St. Phillips Episcopal Church, 129 W. Mound St. Circleville, Ohio.