Apostle Ralph L. White's Obituary
Apostle Ralph L. White, the beloved son of the late Rogia White and Nora Heath White, was born on March 29, 1944, in Wilson, North Carolina. He graduated from Speight High School in Wilson, North Carolina in 1962, where the foundation of a life of faith, family, and service was firmly established.
In pursuit of better employment opportunities, he would move to Washington, DC in 1963. Through a divine encounter, he would be invited to the Holy Redeemer Pentecostal Holiness Church by one of its members, where at the age of 19, he would accept Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior, be filled with the Holy Ghost, and be baptized in the name of Jesus, under the anointed leadership of Prophetess Sylvia Jones, Pastor.
While there, he would meet and marry the love of his life, Rosemary Brannum, on March 14, 1964. Together they shared 54 beautiful years of marriage, building a home filled with love, laughter, and the presence of God. From their blessed union, they were gifted with eight children whom he loved and adored wholeheartedly.
For many years, Apostle White worked in the hospitality management industry, at Gino’s and Kentucky Fried Chicken, before answering the call of God on his life and transitioning into full-time pastoral ministry. In 1982, he founded and pastored Salvation Free Church of God in Washington, DC; the beginning of a ministry that would span decades and touch countless lives. He later founded and served as the Pastor of White House of Prayer International Ministries in McLean, Virginia, where he shepherded his congregation with love, wisdom, and unwavering faith for more than 35 years. He served faithfully in ministry until his retirement in 2019, giving 48 years of his life to the Kingdom of God.
Apostle White was a man who needed no introduction. Known lovingly throughout Washington, DC, Stafford, Spotsylvania, Fredericksburg, and Partlow, Virginia as the Sunshine Spreader, before ultimately planting roots and settling in the Waldorf, Maryland community, where he spent his cherished later years. He had a gift that could not be taught. He had the ability to light up every room he entered simply by walking through the door and sharing his radiant smile. He was a great father, a faithful provider, and a devout man of God, who gave sacrificially of himself to his family, his church family, and his community, without hesitation or reservation.
His life was a living sermon. His love was a gift to all who knew him.
Apostle Ralph L. White was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Rosemary White; his son, McArthur White; and three brothers, Rogie White Jr., Larry White, and Charles White.
He leaves to cherish his precious memory his devoted children: Ralph White Jr. of Waldorf, MD; McKinley White and wife Renee White of Washington, DC; Sylvia White and husband Bobby White of Waldorf, MD; Mary Gamble and husband Fred Gamble of Capitol Heights, MD; Walter White of Waldorf, MD; Audrey Butler and husband Karrie Butler of Waldorf, MD; and Aubrey White of Waldorf, MD.
He is also survived by his cherished siblings: Leroy White of Wilson, NC; Jerome White and wife Angela of Stantonsburg, NC; Bobby White and Sylvia White of Waldorf, MD; Staris White Hogue and husband Rodney of Springfield, MA; and Brenda White of Saratoga, NC; as well as twenty-six grandchildren; seventeen great grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends whose lives were forever enriched by knowing him.
A life well lived. A race faithfully run. A servant called home.
“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.”
— 2 Timothy 4:7
The family will receive friends from 9:00-10:00 a.m. Thursday, July 2, 2026 at Found and Sons Funeral Chapel, 10719 Courthouse Road, Fredericksburg, where the funeral service will begin at 10:00 a.m. in the funeral home chapel with Apostle Frank Lacey officiating. Burial will follow in Glen Haven Memory Gardens.
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