Ms. Carrie White, one of the state’s oldest living residents and arguably the state’s oldest living African American woman, passed away last week from natural causes. She was 108.

Ms. White is a native of Coosawhatchee, South Carolina, and remained there until moving to Haines City, Florida in 1940. In 1956, she left Haines City and moved to Tampa.

According to her son, Benjamin Washington, Ms. White was a cook at a restaurant in Haines City for 10 years before moving to Tampa where she cared for children whose parents had to work.

Funeral services for Ms. White will be held this weekend with Ray Williams Funeral Home handling arrangements.[private]

“Everyone who lived in West Tampa and walked down Willow Street south of Cypress Street knew my mother as the candy and frozen cup lady.”

Mr. Washington said his mother loved to knit and sew, but her real passion was spending time with her grandchildren and attending Mt. Tabor M. B. Church, where she was a faithful member until she passed.

“My mother’s health was pretty good,” said Mr. Washington.

“For the past 30 years, I took care of her and I would spend every spare minute with her. I didn’t miss a day seeing her over that 30 year span. I’m going to miss our visits.

“I’ll also miss her sharing her upbringing with me. She often talked about how as a child she had to work in the fields all day and how tough it was.”

Mr. Washington said his mother loved celebrating her birthdays at Red Lobster. She was also proud of two letters she received in recognition of her 108th birthday; one from President Barack Obama and the other from Congresswoman Kathy Castor.

“That was her favorite place to eat. She really loved their seafood.”

Mr. Washington is the lone survivor of Ms. White’s 12 children.[/private]