Obituary of Jonnie Mae White

Jonnie O. White was a long time resident of Kalamazoo, Michigan. On Saturday August 15, 2020, surrounded by her family, she peacefully transitioned to her Home in Glory. Jonnie was born on September 7, 1934 to the late Reverend Cleveland O’Bannon and the late Annie Mae (Fisher) O’Bannon. Jonnie grew up in a large loving family in Jackson Mississippi, being the third of eight children. She accepted Christ at an early age. Jonnie graduated from Holy Ghost Catholic High School in Jackson, Mississippi and attended Tougaloo College in Tougoloo, Mississippi. She would later meet and marry Marvin C. Barnes, Sr. The newlyweds moved from Jackson to Chicago, Illinois and later settled in Kalamazoo. He preceded her in death. Later in life she would find love again and married Albert L. White. They would spend many happy years together sharing their love of cooking for their family and friends. Jonnie found joy in helping others, which was evidenced by her long career in the field of social work. Her desire to ensure social equity for all was achieved through her employment with Kalamazoo County, the City of Kalamazoo, and Bronson Hospital. Jonnie loved God, her family, and her friends. She raised her children in a God fearing home and shared her love of Christ with all she met. She was an excellent homemaker and cook. Her love for others inspired her to prepare home-cooked meals and baked goods that she would lovingly share with her family, neighbors, and friends. Jonnie especially enjoyed holidays and family celebrations where she was known for preparing delicious one-of-a-kind dishes and delightful desserts served with excellence and flair. She loved to decorate both inside and outside of her home. She eagerly anticipated the Christmas holiday when she would decorate her 7-foot Christmas tree, adorning it with vintage ornaments, satin bows, and lights for all to enjoy. She welcomed spring time when she tended to her flower beds, filling them with a colorful array of flowers and plants, many times sharing from her garden with close friends and family. In the late 1970s Jonnie stepped out on faith and returned to Jackson, Mississippi where her love for cooking and dream of becoming an entrepreneur merged and The Wild Onion restaurant was born, where she served a delectable variety of barbecued ribs, chicken, and brisket all covered in her special homemade BBQ sauce. After a short stay in Houston, Texas Jonnie returned to Kalamazoo in 1985. She loved traveling and no place was too far to visit her beloved children, grandchildren, and other relatives. In 2008, she was gifted with a trip of a lifetime to California where she had a wonderful time visiting her sister Willie Jean. She also loved traveling cross country with Dee, visiting Chicago by train, and road trips to Washington D.C., Massachusetts, and Texas, and eventually cruising in the Western Caribbean in 2012. Jonnie was preceded in death by her father, Cleveland O’Bannon, mother, Annie Mae O’Bannon, husband, Albert L. White, two brothers, L.C. O’Bannon and Cleveland O’Bannon, Jr; and one sister, Bernice Gatlin. Jonnie leaves to cherish her memory five devoted children; Sharon (Alfred) Lloyd of Jackson, Mississippi; Mishach Blackeagle and Darrah Barnes (aka “Dee”), both of Kalamazoo, Michigan; Arva (George Jr.) Dorsey of Houston, Texas and Dr. Benita Barnes-Flye (Bryan Sr.) of Northampton, Massachusetts. Ten grandchildren; Lawanda Sanders, Terrance (Celes) Reese, Jermaine Reese, Benjamin (Jamie) Robinson, Nekima Blackeagle, Kalila (Michael)Vega, George Dorsey III (Aneta), Jeremy Dorsey, Geoffrey Dorsey, and Jordan Dorsey; and 20 great grandchildren. She is survived by one sister, Wille Jean Bush of Victorville, California and three brothers, M.L. O’Bannon, John Henry O’Bannon (Jessie), and William O’Bannon all of Jackson, Mississippi, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends; and four very special friends, Augusta White, Joyce Bonner, Carolyn Alford and Pearl Dorsey, and a loving goddaughter Valita Whittaker, of Southfield, Michigan.