Clancie James White was born on June 25, 1938, in Jonestown, Mississippi to Isaiah and Ella White. 

 

He attended Jonestown/Coahoma County Schools. When he was just 18, and as part of the great Southern migration that took place in the 1940s and 50s, he followed his brothers, relocating to Chicago, Illinois, and stayed with his Aunt Charlotte and her family. After going through one winter in Chicago, he concluded that the cold weather was not for him and relocated to Miami, Florida. There, he was introduced to the love of his life, the beautiful, Essie Rumph. They married and settled in Miami and raised six children. 

 

Clancie became a member of the Nation of Islam and later a member of Tenth Tabernacle Beth El. 

 

Shortly after arriving in Miami, Clancie began working at Dixie Bedding Company, and because of his family entrepreneurial background, later began his own side business of selling fresh fruit and vegetables, primarily in the Black community, where fresh fruit and vegetables were hard to find. He worked all day to support his family and went back to school at night to study Air Conditioning and Refrigeration. After receiving his certificate, he started his own business, Chancie’s Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Repair. He worked hard and had an understanding heart and spirit, assisting many during their time of need during the hot summer months in Miami, even allowing customers to pay on credit. He went on to train several young people in the trade, several of which also went into business for themselves.  

 

He was not a man of many words, but when he did speak he provided words of wisdom and encouragement. Clancie was a strong supporter of education and encouraged his children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews to study and become strong math students, since he believed this skill would be important in their lives. He also encouraged them to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Through his small business, he was able to provide for his family, supporting his children through college and graduate school.

 

As a strong supporter of family, he ensured summer family vacations to Mississippi, Chicago, and Georgia to stay connected to his sister and brothers, their families and his in-laws. In his spare time, he enjoyed playing checkers and fishing, and of course being from the birthplace of the Blues, he was a lover of music, especially the Mississippi Blues. Mostly, he enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

 

On Thursday, January 16, 2025, God called Clancie home. A beautiful legacy will forever be remembered by his wife of almost 65 years, Essie White, and their six children: Juanita, Donald (Fannie), Arthur (Natalie), Tangie, Sharon, and Elder Angela Toombs; grandchildren, Dontavia White, Geoffrey White, Bryan White, Omar Seck, Anita Toombs, Joshua Toombs, Lorenzo Jackson III, and Avery Jackson; two brothers, Robert Wiley of Jonestown, MS, and Johnny Ray Wiley of Jackson, MS; two sisters, Wanda and Wilma Wiley of Jonestown, MS;  brother-in-law, Ervin (Ann) Rumph of Pearl, MS; and sister-in-law, Pearline White of Chicago, IL. 

 

He was preceded in death by five brothers, Lemuel, Willie George, Samuel, Curtis, and Floyd; and one sister, Martha “Peaches” Bradley. Clancie leaves behind five great-grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.