Elizabeth Jean White

Elizabeth Jean (Maywood) White passed peacefully in her sleep on January 4, 2026. She was 79 years old. Born on April 10, 1946, to Jennie (Laskovy) and John Maywood, she grew up on the family dairy farm in Decatur, MI, before graduating from Decatur High School in 1964. Beth graduated from beauty school in Kalamazoo and married Gary White from Lawton, MI soon after, in 1968. They moved into their home on County Road 665, where they spent decades working together building their lives. Gary passed in 2018 and she downsized, staying in the rural area between Paw Paw and Lawton.

Beth enjoyed a long career managing the parts department at Welch's. She and Gary also made friends across the region as the long-time proprietors of White's Pines Christmas Trees, where they welcomed visitors from as far as Chicago from the 1980s well into the 2000s. Guests were greeted with holiday songs on the radio and a cozy bonfire for kids to roast marshmallows.

In retirement, Beth spent past winters in Bonita Springs, Florida and summers in Silver Creek, New York, where she loved spending time with her grandnieces. More recently, she was happy to have breakfasts with her two sisters, Mary Butcher and Donna Overton, then spend time with her dog and tending to her landscaping. She is survived by her sisters, many cousins, and the generations that follow all of them.

In keeping with Beth's wishes, cremation has taken place, and no services are planned at this time. Those wishing to do a memorial contribution are asked to consider the World Wildlife Fund or an Animal Rescue of your choosing.