Reta White

Reta Smith was born the fourth of six children to Jerome and Sophie Smith on April 9, 1956, in Vicksburg Mississippi. She moved to Omaha, Ne as young girl. She transitioned over peacefully on August 10 with her son by her side. She gave her life to Christ at an early age when she joined Bethel AME Church. She later fellowship to Paradise Missionary Baptist Church where M. T. Jones is The Pastor.

She attended Benson High School & later took night classes Tech High where she received her diploma in 1985. Rita actively performed in an all girl’s dance group with her classmates who became her best friends. They would regularly compete on The Show Wagon at various parks including Carter Lake.

She dated and fell in love with John Finley with whom she had a son with, Jermaine Finley. Who was her world. She gave him many fun & unique nicknames. Having a lot of fun by calling him Thirsty and Pickles! She had a way with giving many close relatives silly nicknames that will stick with them for the rest of their lives. She later married Billy White. They shared a deep love and so many cherished memories. Their marriage was later dissolved.

Rita had numerous jobs, but she was mostly passionate with working with The elderly & Children. She loved grocery shopping, keeping a spotless home, decorating, clothes & dressing, & disciplining children of all ages. Her hobbies were, listening to music, playing cards, throwing darts, cracking jokes, organizing get-together’s and visiting friends and relatives & much, much more. As long as she had her Jamaica Me Happy/beer, Kool's filter Kings & 7UP, family and friends at her side, she was happy go Lucky (her nickname).

She was a joy to be around & always the life of the party. She was called MawMaw by her grandchildren & sometimes that by even the neighborhood children. Some would say that she was a lil lady with a big voice who didn’t back down from anything or anyone. She was a real go-getter and settled for nothing but the best. She was known for her pretty brown eyes, her womanly physique, sense of fashion, matching from head to toe and her smart intellect. Yes, she was a forced to be reckoned with!

Those who preceded her in death are her Parents, Sophie & Jerome Smith, Daughter Jamilliah Safia Smith, Stepmother, Nonetha Smith, Sister, Connie Smith. Brother’s, Curley & Donnie Smith. Niece, Tyesha Smith & Nephews, Johnny Smith and Antonio Smith.

She leaves to cherish her memories, her son Jermaine Finley & Daughter Briana Finley, Grand-Children Ayanna Finley, Jermaine Finley Jr, JTavion Smith, Dezmond Powell, JSean Thomas, TyAija Smith & Jeremiah Odle-Finley. Great Grand-Children Jermaine Finley lll & Ble’Syn Avant. Sister, Vanessa Smith, Half-Sister Laural Smith & Step-Sister Lavon (Woody) Rambo of Kansas City, Mo, Brother Tony Smith, Step-Brother, Massey (Veronica) Allen; Adoptive brothers, DaVonche Smith, Davion Smith, and Israel Smith; With Nieces, Nephews, Cousins and a host of Family & Friends who will also cherished her in death.