Funeral service for Mrs. Mary Dell Henderson-White, 71, of Harker Heights, TX will be held Friday, July 30, 2021, 11:00 a.m. at Chisolm's Family Funeral Home in Killeen, TX. Burial will follow the service at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen, TX.

Visitation will be held Thursday, July 29, 2021 (6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.) at the funeral home,

"Be strong and courageous, do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

(Joshua 1:9)

Dr. Mary Dell Henderson-White Ph.D., MA, BA, AA transitioned to her heavenly home on Saturday, July 17, 2021, at the age of 71. Mary is the sixth child of ten children and was born in Taylorsville, Mississippi on December 16, 1949, to Cleveland Cooper and Ruby Mae Burnell. Mary was a strong faithful Woman of God who loved the Lord, her church family, her husband Clyde Wayman White, and all of her family and friends.

Mary relocated from her hometown of Taylorsville, Mississippi to reunite with several family members residing in Saginaw, Michigan at the age of sixteen. Mary graduated from Saginaw High School soon finding herself in Alpena, MI raising her family, working and continuing her education. While, living in northern Michigan she worked with; Child and Family Services as an Intervention Counselor for troubled youth, at Spring Arbor University as an Instructor and Admissions Coordinator and at Tender-Care an assisted living facility as a Social Worker. Mary studied Management and Organization Development and received a Bachelor of Arts in Family Life Education as well as a Master of Arts in Education: Curriculum and Instruction both through Spring Arbor University.

Mary authored and published her own book called Breathe Child Breathe : Voices from the Graves. Breathe Child Breathe was based upon her life and her family lives before, throughout and after the 1960's civil right movement.

In 2004, she married the love of her life, Clyde W. White and together they expanded their families not only in number but in love as well. Clyde and Mary White relocated from Michigan to Harker Heights, Texas in 2006. Although Mary was raised in the church, after arriving in Texas, Mary established her church home at Christian House of Prayer, where she served on  the counselor's and Soul Winning Action Team (S.W.A.T.). She became a licensed minister through Sonship School of The Firstborn, class of 2009.  During, this time she returned to her profession in higher learning at Central Texas College as an instructor and director of Disabled Student Services.

Mary opened her own business, Mary Dell Designer Fashions in Killeen, TX in 2014. She was truly blessed for the relationships that were built with her customers and she experienced so much joy being able to have a labor of love develop into a thriving business.

Mary decided to study Education Psychology at Capella University and later went on to complete a Ph.D. in Leadership for Higher Education from Capella University in 2017. She will be remembered as our inspiration, our guiding light and our hero!

Mary leaves to cherish her memory her loving husband Clyde Wayman White of 17 years, her brothers Donald Burnell(Jackie), Herschel Burnell(Jerri), sisters Shirley Drain and Barbara Tolliver(Ron); two sons Cory DeRon Henderson and Sherman Ramon Puryear, stepdaughter Michelle White-Godinet(Randall); grandchildren Candice Marcelle Henderson, Brandon Lamar Henderson, Lakisha Shereanel Henderson, Damarius Koy Henderson, Kaleb DeRon Henderson, Alyssa Katrina Marie Puryear, Rosanna Lynn Ameriguian, Adrienne Irene Puryear, Madisyn Della Lynn Puryear, Jordan Brooke Godinet, Taylor Brian Godinet, Morgan Brianna Godinet and Reed Bryant Godinet; great-grandchildren Debonaire Wayman Henderson, Zion Nazarre Henderson, TyTriana Della-Marie Henderson, Tayla LynChelle Henderson, Daniel Henderson, and Jaxon B. Mueller and a host of nieces and nephews.

Mary was preceded in death by her father Cleveland Cooper, mother Ruby Mae Burnell; brothers Bobby Ray Young and Clifton Cooper; sisters Jettye M. Young, Mattie Long and Irene Mannie; daughter Katrina Elaine Henderson; grandchildren Andrea Nicole Henderson and Nicholas Lane Henderson.