MarionMade!: Local senior Paul White still seizing the day

Special to the Marion Star
·3 min read

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Paul White with his wife Nannette and granddaughter Jennifer Russell. The Whites have three children, five grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
Paul White with his wife Nannette and granddaughter Jennifer Russell. The Whites have three children, five grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

At 91 years old, Paul White can’t be kept down. This energetic man volunteers at Primrose Retirement Community every morning to greet visitors. Staff affectionately call him, “Norman the Doorman.”

“It’s hard for Paul to be retired!” says his wife of 71 years, Nannette White.

Paul has lived in Marion for decades. He was born in Morgantown, West Virginia. His family had a new house and a car until Great Depression hit. Then the family of six moved in with Paul’s grandfather, a farmer and prosecuting attorney in Pikeville, Kentucky. Paul attended a one-room schoolhouse.

Paul moved to Marion in 1944, the same year as the woman who would become his wife, Nannette Cooper. Paul’s father came to Marion because of the plentiful factory jobs.

Nannette moved to Marion from Jackson, Michigan, when her mother was hired as a secretary to the commander at the Army Engineering Depot on Ohio 309.

Paul and Nannette started dating in high school. In 1951, Paul was 19 and Nannette was just 16. One night, Nannette told Paul her family was moving back to Michigan. They would have to break up.

“Do you love me?” Paul asked her. When Nannette said yes, Paul said, “I have a better idea.”

The Whites have been married for 71 years. They eloped as teenagers in March 1951. They say the key to their long, happy marriage is to talk things out and not go to bed angry.
The Whites have been married for 71 years. They eloped as teenagers in March 1951. They say the key to their long, happy marriage is to talk things out and not go to bed angry.

The two ran off to Indiana to elope. The minister encouraged them to wait, but they would not be swayed. The pastor gave them advice they have used for 71 years: Don’t go to bed angry. Talk things out.

When they arrived at Easter dinner and announced they eloped, it did not go well.

“Mom threatened to have Paul thrown in jail!” Nannette recalls with a chuckle.

The newlyweds lived with Paul’s family until they could afford an apartment.

“Paul has worked two to three jobs most of our early married life,” Nannette said. “Paul worked at a grocery store in Marion for $6.99 a week. He never got a raise, but he learned about hard work and sales.”

Paul has been in sales since the age of 10, when he knocked on doors to sell weekly Grit magazines.

“I love people!” Paul says. “Marion is a very friendly community.”

Paul landed a job selling life insurance for Western Southern door-to-door. He was proud his sales earned him a spot at the annual conventions. On evenings and weekends, Paul did drywall and construction. Nannette worked until their three children came along.

Paul and Nannette White celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary in 2021. These seniors love staying active. Paul has been a member of the Marion Senior Center since 1993. He was a member of the Steppin’ Seniors, a line dancing group, for more than 20 years.
Paul and Nannette White celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary in 2021. These seniors love staying active. Paul has been a member of the Marion Senior Center since 1993. He was a member of the Steppin’ Seniors, a line dancing group, for more than 20 years.

As the children grew older, Nannette earned a bachelor’s degree in library science from Ohio Dominican and an elementary education certification from The Ohio State University. She worked as a teacher and librarian for Marion City and Olentangy Schools. She also taught a course on study skills and reference tools at Marion Technical College.

“I love learning,” Nannette shared. “There are lot of opportunities in Marion especially with colleges. There are lots of jobs here, too.”

Nannette retired from teaching in 1991. She started selling real estate.

“I’ve always loved houses,” Nannette says. “But Paul was the salesman — not me.”

Paul became a real estate agent. Nannette kept the books. After decades of this business, Nannette retired in 2011. Their granddaughter, Jennifer Russell, became Paul’s assistant. She took real estate classes at Marion Tech and became an agent.  She is a realtor with Coldwell Banker Realty and a past president of the Marion Area Board of Realtors. She currently is a director and secretary for the Marion County Realty Association. Her husband, Aaron Russell, is a home inspector.

“Everything I know, I learned from Grandpa. He never met a stranger,” Jennifer says.

Nannette and Paul White and Jennifer Russell have worked in Marion real estate for decades. Jennifer was awarded realtor of the year in 2020. Jennifer is a member of the Downtown Marion Board, Women’s Club Home, the Marion Area Humane Society, the Marion Young Professionals, the Women’s Business Council, the Marion Area Chamber of Commerce and Dayspring Wesleyan Church. She is a past president of the Marion Board of Realtors.

Paul White was awarded Marion Outstanding Senior Citizen of the Year in 2003. He was a line dancer and a member of the choir. He served on many local boards of directors.

Paul stays busy with life at Primrose, joining most of the activities, including bingo, crafts, trivia games and sing-alongs. Nannette enjoys volunteering, reading and time with family.

“Marion cares about its seniors,” Paul says.

This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Local senior Paul White staying active at 91