Barbara Ann White

Barbara Ann White was born on February 12, 1927, in New York City to Richards Paul McElrath and Clara Offenbacher McElrath. Her father was a real estate agent and a stockbroker, while her mother also worked as a hair stylist, cosmotology school instructor and homemaker. The family moved back to Clara's hometown in Zanesville, Ohio and eventually to Dayton, Ohio and Columbus, Ohio. Barbara was a standout vocalist as a young woman and was a member of the Da Cappella Choir in Grace Church from 1941 to 1943. She graduated from Dayton's Kiser High School in 1944 and later attended Ohio State University. Barbara always maintained her love of music - classical, opera, broadway musicals, pop - and danced with WWII G.I.'s as a hostess with the Saturday Night Party Hostess group in 1944 and 1945. She married Robert Leland Bowman in 1948, but divorced shortly after in 1950. Barbara honed her secretarial skills and worked at Wright Patterson Air Force Base where she met V.M.I. graduate Robert Bomar White. They were married in 1952 and had the first of their two sons, Bruce, the following year. While her husband's career with DuPont took the family to Parlin, New Jersey; Rochester, New York; and Scotch Plains, New Jersey; she continued to sing in local musical productions, church choirs and plays. In 1960, Barbara gave birth to their second son, Blair. After their second stint in New Jersey, the family moved to Woodland Hills, California where they lived until 1978, when the couple separated (and divorced several years later). Barbara relocated to San Luis Obispo, California where she briefly worked at Riley's Department Store, and sang in a local church choir. She lived with her youngest son who was attending college there. After her son Blair graduated in 1982, Barbara moved back to the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles where she lived in Panorama City until February of 2010. She made her final move to Denver, and enjoyed spending time with her family, shopping trips, dining out, and watching her grandchildren play. She lived out the rest of her life at the Argyle, an assisted living facility. Barbara is survived by her two sons, Bruce (and Loretta) White, Blair (and Heather) White; her granddaughters Erin (and Ryan) Webster, Aubrey (and Matt) Nelsen, Ashlyn White and Delaney White; and her great grandson, Kellen James Webster. A Memorial Service for Barbara will be held Wednesday, June 27, 2012 at 6:30 PM at Rocky Mountain Memorial Park, 3201 S. Parker Rd. in Aurora. Inurnment will conclude the service. Please share your memories of Barbara and condolences with her family by clicking on the ""Sign Guestbook"" link belwo.