Charles Ray White

Charles Ray White, 82 of Ozark, Arkansas, passed away, Thursday, January 8, 2026 in Little Rock, Arkansas. He was born February 19, 1943 in Paris, Arkansas, to Charles William White and Mary Ellen Holt White. Charles was of the Methodist faith and a member of the Ozark First United Methodist Church. He retired from Arkansas Valley Electric after 41 years, working his way up from the Right of Way crew to Operations Manager. In his second career, he spent 14 years as the Chief Lawncare Engineer with Black Hills Energy. Charles Ray was initiated into the Kappa Alpha Order on November 14, 2021. He was a huge Hillbilly football fan and loved being with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Ralph Franklin; two sisters, Shirley Cross and Kaye Stewart; and brother-in-law, Raymond Casey. Charles “Big Bear” is survived by his wife of 64 years, Donna “Nana Bear” Franklin White; one son, Thomas White and wife Lori; one daughter, Lisa Robison and husband Danny, all of Ozark; three sisters, Patricia White Casey, Fluffy Sory and Tuffy Edwards all of Ozark; four grandchildren, Leslie Bednar and husband Trey, Beth Ann Wetzel and husband Chase, Dakota Robison, and Jediah White and fianceé Meagan Harris; three great grandchildren, Drake Bednar, Charlsey Bednar, and Coulter Wetzel; numerous nieces and nephews; and also leaves behind the remaining members of his White Rock Mountain deer camp. Memorial Services will be held at the Gardner Family Life Center at 3 pm on Sunday, January 18, 2026 with Tommy McCormick officiating. Visitation will follow the service. Cremation arrangements were made under the direction of Shaffer Funeral Home in Ozark. The family requests that everyone wear Charles Ray’s favorite color, Hillbilly Purple, in his honor. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Gary Briley, Wayne Davis, Charles Otto Haberer, Tommy McCormick, Billy Mason, and the Black Hills Employees. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Charles Ray and Donna White Scholarship Fund at Bank OZK. To leave an online memorial visit www.shafferfuneralhomeweb.com

Charles Ray White

February 19, 1943 - January 8, 2026