Merle G. White

Merle G. White, 95, of Highland, IL, passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, at her residence in Highland on Tuesday, November 4, 2025.

Merle was born on March 10, 1930, in Frisbee, MO. She was the daughter of Wesley Clarence and Gertie Crystal (nee Byrd) Adams. Unfortunately, her mother was bedridden with tuberculosis at her time of birth, so Merle was raised in the loving family of her uncle and aunt, James Freeman and Ethel (nee Adams) Byrd. Merle’s birth mother died about three years later.

She felt extremely blessed to have two sets of parents, who were brothers and sisters to each other. Both families lived close together and Merle always felt fortunate that she had a double set of brothers and sisters. There were seven children in the Adams family and six in the Byrd family.

Being raised in the Missouri Bootheel during the Great Depression was not easy for any family including those who were sharecroppers. Merle often recalled how they survived on their rented farms, enjoyed simple gifts and were extremely fortunate to have an uncle who owned a grocery business and was able to keep food on the table.

The Byrd family (with Merle included) eventually relocated in Broseley, MO (near Poplar Bluff) where she attended middle school and high school. She played girls’ 3-on-3 basketball and was active in the theatre club.

After graduation in 1948, she and a high school friend sought working careers in St. Louis. She married Orville Holt later that year. They resided in St. Louis before moving into the Edwardsville and Highland area in the 1950s. He preceded her in death.

According to her, the arrivals of her two sons, Allen and Stephen (born 14 months apart) were the true joys of her life and she devoted herself completely to raising them through the 1950s and 60s. Her sacrifices and selflessness were unwavering.

She married R. Frank White in 1970 and moved to Fenton, MO, where she resided until his death in 1999.

Throughout her working career, she held secretarial positions in St. Louis and with Alton Box Board in Highland. She candled eggs for Odell (Storbeck) the Egg Man and worked as a checker for Kinne’s Grocery and later Gutzler’s Tom-Boy. She worked for Venture Stores and earned her beautician certificate, operating her own small shop in Fenton.

She was a devout Christian. She recalled her childhood and the many weeknights and Sundays that were devoted to the Baptist Church and prayer. She was a member of Baptist and Methodist churches for her entire life. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Highland from 1958-70 and again since 1999. She read her Bible daily and loved her church family.

She was an avid card player, hosting card nights in her home on a weekly basis with her many friends. She enjoyed being with her children and three generations of grandchildren.

Merle is survived by her son, Steve, and daughter-in-law, Terri Holt, Highland, IL; daughter-in-law, Sandy Holt, Highland, IL; grandchildren, Janean (Eric) Rehkemper, Highland, IL, Jennifer (Jeff) Wright, St. Peters, MO, Stephanie (Paul) Dehner, Downs, IL, Travis (Paige) Holt, Downs, IL, Brian (Phoenix) Holt, Oak Park, IL, and Derek (Rebekah) Holt, Parker, TX; great-grandchildren, Cori (Jake) Warren, Maryville, IL; Braden Rehkemper, Highland, IL, Lauren (Chris) Dickman, St. Peters, MO, Claire Wright, St. Peters, MO, Caiden Dehner and Ellie Dehner, Downs, IL, Parker Holt, Piper Holt, Grayson Holt, and Harrison Holt, Downs, IL, Violet Holt and Sebastian Holt, Oak Park, IL, William Holt, Adeline Holt, and Lila Holt, Parker, TX; great-great-grandchildren, Theo and Noah Warren, Maryville, IL, and Audrey Dickman, St. Peters, MO; brother, J.A. Byrd, Huntington Beach, CA; sister, Helen Robertson, Paragould, AR; special niece, Gayle O’Dell, Bell Vista, AR; multiple nieces and nephews; special friends, Mary Ann Simpson, Hazel Rauscher and Diane Krydynski, Highland, IL.

She was preceded in death by her son, Allen Holt; great-granddaughter, Amanda Lynn Rehkemper; husbands, Frank White and Orville Holt; parents, Freeman and Ethel Byrd, Clarence and Gertie Adams; sisters, Pauline Pavatt, Irene Newson, Marie Robertson, Jewell White, Rena White, and Shirley Pendegrass; brothers, Vernon Adams, Augustine Adams, Wesley Byrd, and Winfred Byrd.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to First Baptist Church of Highland or the Highland Food Pantry.

Visitation: Saturday, November 22, 2025, from 9:00 to 11:00 am, at First Baptist Church of Highland

Funeral Service: Saturday, November 22, 2025, 11:00 am, at First Baptist Church of Highland

Clergy: Pastor Cody Knapik

Interment: Highland City Cemetery

Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL