Frankie White, well known in racing, dies

August 03, 2018

HOME PRINT

Frankie White, well know throughout harness racing for her work at the Lexington Selected Yearling Sale office and before that, for many years at the Tattersalls office in Lexington, has passed away. Mrs. White was also the wife of Tom White, a Hall of Fame Communicator member for his work as publicist for The Red Mile, Scioto Downs and the Little Brown Jug. The couple was married 60 years.

Frances Thornbury White, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt passed away on Friday morning (Aug. 3). She leaves behind her adoring and devoted husband, Tom; her children, Scott and Marianne, and their spouses, Susan and Gary; her grandchildren Emily, Caroline, Nathanael, and Elizabeth; brother Bill Thornbury and sister Dorothy Thornbury Dowden; many cousins, nieces, nephews, and "grands;" and a wealth of treasured friends collected over decades.

Frankie was quick with both a smile and an opinion. She was a frequent entertainer and fierce bridge player; a champion against injustice; a tone-deaf music lover, especially Broadway tunes and old hymns. She was a loyal friend and dearly loved her family. She was a faithful and active member of Maxwell Street Presbyterian Church, spent years working with children during "craft time" whose wood-block nativity sets decorate many a Lexington home, deacon, and proud member of the Presbyterian Women which bestowed its highest honor on her.

A native of the central Appalachian town of Big Rock, Virginia, her only regret was not having time to go home one last time. She asked that her ashes be scattered at The Breaks Interstate Park which bestrides the Kentucky-Virginia state line, which her ancestors help settle in the early 19th century.

A memorial service will be held August 25 at 11:00 am at Maxwell Street Presbyterian Church in Lexington. Donations in her memory may be made to Maxwell Street Presbyterian Church or the Foundation for Angelman Syndrome Therapeutics.

« Return to News