| Helen White | |
 Helen White on her 112th birthday, with relative Vanna White in 2018 | |
| Birth: | 21 September 1906 Fort Lawn, South Carolina, USA |
| Death: | 16 October 2018 Centenary, South Carolina, USA |
| Age: | 112 years, 25 days |
| Country: |  USA
|
| Validated | |
Helen Douglas White (née Abernathy; 21 September 1906 – 16 October 2018) was an American supercentenarian whose age was validated by the Gerontology Research Group (GRG) in 2024.
Biography
Helen Douglas Abernathy was born in Fort Lawn, South Carolina, on 21 September 1906. She was one of eight children born to William and Martha Abernathy. Her father was mayor of the town.
White attended Erskine College in Due West, South Carolina for one year, before transferring to Flora McDonald College in Red Springs, North Carolina. She completed a degree in home economics and then became a teacher for a year and a half. As well as home economics, she taught English and maths and also coached the girls’ basketball team. She then became an assistant home demonstration agent for Florence County. A year later, she became the home demonstration agent for Saluda County. While there, she married Harry White.
Helen and Harry White had a daughter, Jerri. They moved to Raleigh, North Carolina, and then to Griffin, Georgia, where their son Harry Jr. was born. After two years there, Harry Sr. accepted a promotion in Athens, Georgia, and the family lived there for nine years. During this time, White completed an advanced degree in education. The family then moved back to Raleigh and lived there for 22 years.
The White family moved to Centenary, South Carolina, in 1978, where they bought and renovated an old house. Helen White died on 16 October 2018 at the age of 112 years 25 days.
White was related to Vanna White, co-host of American game show Wheel of Fortune.
References
- Marion County woman celebrates 109th birthday WBTW, 20 September 2015
- At 110, Helen White of Centenary is going strong – but doesn't dance as much SC Now, 20 September 2016
- Vanna White on Facebook
- 112th birthday Vanna White Instagram
- Centenary's 112-year-old resident dies SC Now Morning News
- Obituary