Katy White, 83, of Athens, Alabama, passed away peacefully on July 1, 2026, surrounded by the love of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Katy was gifted with an unforgettable personality that left a lasting impression on every person fortunate enough to know her. She embraced everyone with warm hugs and a welcoming spirit, insisting that everyone call her "Momma" or "Granny." She never met a stranger. Her beautiful smile, signature red lipstick, joyful spirit, and infectious laugh brightened every room she entered. She left every place and every person better than she found them, filling lives with love, laughter, encouragement, and joy.

Katy had a remarkable gift for making people feel deeply loved. She celebrated every accomplishment, no matter how big or small, and delighted in who God created each person to be. Her family will forever treasure hearing her say, "I am so proud of you," "I love you, Sugar," and "We've got this!" Those words became part of her legacy and are still lovingly repeated by her youngest great-grandchildren today.

Katy was born on December 18, 1942, in Limestone County, Alabama, to Oscar Shelton Campbell and Dorothy Paige Grisham Campbell.

She married the love of her life, Ferris White, and together they built a marriage marked by unwavering love, faithfulness, and devotion. They shared 42 wonderful years together, creating a home that became the heart of their growing family. Katy lovingly cared for Ferris throughout his illness and remained steadfastly devoted to him until his passing. In the years that followed, she often spoke of how much she missed him and looked forward to the day they would be reunited.

Together they raised five beloved children in a home overflowing with laughter, love, and unforgettable memories. Christmas mornings, family vacations, adventures, and everyday moments became extraordinary because of the home Katy and Ferris created. Their devotion to one another became the foundation of their multigenerational family and remains a legacy that continues to hold them together today.

Katy loved to work and took pride in everything she did. She also poured herself into caring for her own home, helping her children care for theirs, tending her yard, serving her family, and celebrating every milestone her children achieved.

After Ferris' passing, Katy divided her time between Colorado Springs, where she loved spending time on her daughter's beautiful ranch and admiring Pikes Peak from the back porch, and Alabama, where she enjoyed the warmth, the sunshine, and long summer days in the swimming pool surrounded by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Swimming was one of Katy's lifelong passions. As a young woman, she was a talented synchronized swimmer, and later she lovingly taught both her grandchildren and great-grandchildren to swim. Countless treasured summer memories were made with Granny in the pool, laughing, encouraging, and making every child feel brave.

Katy loved acting and filled her home with imagination and fun. Fashion shows, talent competitions, and performances became treasured family traditions, with Granny enthusiastically leading the way. She believed every grandchild had something special to offer and celebrated each one's unique gifts.

Katy was an enthusiastic sports fan. She proudly cheered for Alabama football, rarely missing an opportunity to wear her beloved houndstooth sweater and signature red lipstick. More than anything, she loved watching her grandchildren compete. Whether sitting in the stands or watching online from hundreds of miles away, she celebrated every game, every accomplishment, and every milestone because nothing brought her greater joy than cheering on the people she loved.

Every conversation with Katy ended with encouragement. Every visit ended with love. Everyone left feeling seen, celebrated, and deeply cherished.

Above all else, Katy loved the Lord Jesus Christ. She joyfully sang His praises throughout her life, faithfully worshiped, loved being in church, and found unwavering hope in the promises of the Gospel. Her confidence in Christ gave her peace as she looked forward to spending eternity with her Savior, reunited with her beloved Ferris, her daughter Sissy, and those who had gone before her. That same hope now comforts the family she loved so deeply.

Katy was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Ferris White Sr.; her precious great granddaughter, Ashlyn; her beloved daughter, Haskell "Sissy" O'Neal Motes; and her brother, Billy Mac Campbell.

She is lovingly survived by her son, Ferris White, Jr. (Jo); her daughters, Kitty Engberg (Alan), Rebecca King (Ed), and Dottie Henderson (Eric); her first cousin who she considered her brother, H.M. Nowlin (Lucinda); fifteen grandchildren; thirty-five great-grandchildren; her granddogs and grandhorses, and countless extended family members and dear friends whose lives were forever changed by her love.

Though our hearts are broken, we are deeply grateful for the many years we were blessed to share with her. Her kindness, contagious laughter, joyful spirit, steadfast faith, and unwavering love will continue to live on through every person fortunate enough to have known her.

We rejoice knowing she is now whole, at peace, and in the presence of her Savior, reunited with the love of her life. Until we meet again, we will carry her joy, her gratitude, her faith, and her love with us always.

A funeral service celebrating Katy's life will be held on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Dustin Dodson officiating. Burial will follow at Enon Baptist Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Her grandsons will serve as pallbearers.