Camille White

Published 1:51 pm Tuesday, December 17, 2019

Mrs. Camille Planche White, 103, died Dec. 15, 2019, at home surrounded by family and friends. Camille married William Leo White Sr. on March 13, 1935, and remained married till his death in 1989.

Mrs. White was born on Oct. 10, 1916, in Bogalusa. She grew up in Bogalusa, graduated from Bogalusa High School in 1935 and was a lifelong resident of Bogalusa except for 1955 when the family lived in Antioch, Calif.

Mrs. White is survived by one son, George H White (Celia) of Lafayette; six grandchildren, Donald C. Swearingen(Nancy), Michael A. Swearingen, William L. White III, Darwin P. White (Allie), George C. White (Amber) and Lesley A. White (Gary); and seven great grandchildren, Kevin D. Swearingen, Ryan C. Swearingen (Leticia), Cara E. Swearingen, George B. White, Riley A. White, Taylor P. White and Garret S. White; and one great-great-grandchild, George Waylon White.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Octave Vincent Planche (1969) and Patty Faust Planche (1972); her devoted husband, William Leo White (1989); her beloved children, Connie Marie White (1950), June “Tugy” Swearingen Holiday (2000) and William Leo White, Jr.(2019); her sisters, Patty Sue Stevenson (2018) and Olga Frances Planche (1925); three brothers, Dr. David Pipes Planche (2003), Octave “Buck” Vincent Planche Jr. (2001) and A.J. “Shorty” Planche (1987); and one grandchild, Carl Vincent Swearingen (1997).

Camille was a devout Catholic, attended Annunciation Catholic Church in Bogalusa and was awarded the Order of Saint Louis of the Archdiocese of New Orleans.

Having outlived all of her contemporaries, she made new friends easily through the twilight of her years. This petite lady had a friendly manner and pleasant disposition. She loved to laugh and reminisce and did not hesitate to tell stories on herself.

She also had a tenacity of purpose when it came to moving around. She was active till the end of her life thanks to her own will power and a small cadre of friends who made the time for her when she needed help. She tumbled, danced, jazzercised and aerobicized her way through life.

Camille was devotee of all things chocolate. She never lost her desire for a good meal or dessert, despite tipping the scales below 90 pounds. As she often said of others, she “had a good appetite!”

She will be missed.

Her arrangements have been entrusted to Poole-Ritchie Funeral Home & Crematory. A Mass and Memorial Services will be held at Annunciation Catholic Church on Thursday, Dec. 19. Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m. and continue until mass begins at 11 a.m. Rev. Father Daniel Brouillette will officiate. Interment will follow at Ponemah Cemetery in Bogalusa.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Annunciation Catholic School, Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the American Cancer Society or a charity of choice.

Particular thanks to: John Gulczynski, Keli Ard, Whitney Ard, Nina Sistrunk, Stella Giadrosich, Lauren Giadrosich, Kamala Arron, Drs. Felix Bopp, Barbra Bopp and Camille Bitar and their wonderful staff.

Condolences may be shared on the Poole-Ritchie website at www.pooleritchiefuneralhome.com.