From Dreams to Reality (Excerpt From Her Upcoming Memoir)

By Rebecca S. White, Alumna, North Carolina Central University

Issue 20

Hello, my name is Rebecca Scotton White. I am originally from High PointNC. I now reside in a small town in Randolph County. I’m widowed, livingwith my daughter, Kimberly and her son, AJ. They have been a wonderful blessing to me!

My early childhood days were spent in a Christian environment with adevoted caring father who was a minister, and a loving mother, who was thebest cook around! She prepared hot, delicious, nutritious meals while dadwas the breadwinner. There were nine siblings. In mom’s spare time, shebecame a writer. We were not all at home at the same time. Some sisters andbrothers had already left for college or the armed forces. We were raised tobelieve that dancing, going to the movies, or listening to secular music, suchas jazz, rhythm and blues, or anything that was not Christian music wasconsidered unholy or a sin.

We slipped and did those things anyway and it was fun! On Saturdaymornings when dad and mom went grocery shopping. We would turn onAmerican Bandstand or Soul train, musical shows on the TV. or the radioand would have a dancing good time! Our older sister, Teresa, who had goneaway to Howard University, would come home and teach us the latestdances.

I really appreciated my teachings from my family and the church. Theyhelped me stay grounded when I went away to college.During my preteen years, I was the president of a summer neighborhoodclub. We shared summaries of books that we were reading. Mom madecookies and drinks for refreshments. That was a fun memory!

My favorite teachers during that time were Ms. Reese. Mr. Forbes and Ms.Brown. They were very motivational and genuinely cared for their students.I began having school with the neighborhood children and taught bibleschool one summer, when our family moved to Trinity NC. It was fun andexciting! I loved working with children!

I also drew a school of cut out paper dolls. My playmate, sister, Gail, and Iwould play for hours at a time with the school, having fire drills too! Weoften laugh about this even today!

That’s when I knew that one day, I would be a teacher! My first role modelwas my sister, Dr. Jacquelyn (Jackie) Scotton Joyner. Jackie was a loving,wonderful role model and inspiration to all of us. She was the oldest in thefamily and did her undergraduate work at North Carolina Central University(NCCU) in Durham NC. She continued her education in Richmond, VA,getting her master’s and doctorate degrees at Virgina CommonwealthUniversity. She’s no longer with us but has left a beautiful legacy and

wonderful memories to cherish! I followed in her footsteps and went toNCCU to obtain my bachelor’s degree in early childhood education.

I met the love of my life, Steven Douglas White in my sophomore year ofcollege but didn’t start dating him until a year later. I had dreams prior tomeeting him, of finding a handsome young Christian man one day, so that Icould have some beautiful babies! The dream came true!

One month after I graduated, Steven, (Steve) and I had a beautiful countrywedding at our family home. My youngest sister, Gail was my maid ofhonor and William Martin, Steve’s cousin, was the best man. Rick, myyoungest brother, sang at our wedding! Two years later, our first son, StevenDerez, was born.

Fast forwarding, Steve was a very ambitious young man. He learned theprofession of masonry, inspired and taught to him by my father. He laterattended Guilford County Community College, where he studied BlueprintComprehension. He had dreams of having his own company. He asked mewhat I thought about it and I replied, “Go for It!!!” He started his own brickmasonry business and worked on several projects in the High Point/Greensboro NC area. He later partnered with his brother Mike White,building drainage structures for the NC State Department of Transportation,the roads and highway division.

We had two more children, Brandon Scott, and three years later KimberlyEve was born. Our beautiful family was complete! I began focusing on mycareer. I was the director of a childcare center in High Point, NC for severalyears. I was employed also with High Point/ Guilford County Schools. At alocal church, I worked in the children’s ministry as director and directed thechildren’s choir. Steve played the keyboard for the young adults and thechildren’s choir.

We decided to relocate to Steve’s hometown, Siler City, NC. I became ateacher and director of a child development center for physically andmentally challenged children, mainstreamed in typically developing classes.During this time, we both became involved in the music ministry at severalchurches. Steve also became a minister and preached on special occasions,and man, could he preach! I sang on the praise and worship teams whileSteve played the keyboard. It was very rewarding, doing the work of theLord and winning souls to Christ!

He later began construction of apartment buildings and was involved inseveral projects in the surrounding areas of Chatham County.Finally, we moved to Randolph County. I finished my teaching career in thatschool system, retiring in 2013.

My love for teaching didn’t stop after retiring. I began teaching at RandolphCommunity College as an English professor, teaching English for twelveyears, to students of other countries. I really enjoyed inspiring and workingwith these students, who were determined after long hours, to learn English.

My favorite hobby is writing! I have written poems, songs, plays, andpublished two books titled Miracle and I Love Poems, The latter wasillustrated by my niece Zayra Williams- Allen, daughter of our Teresa andbrother in law, Newman Williams, and twin of Jamila. Both books wereedited by my sister, Dr. Gwendolyn Scotton Bethea.

My sons are married and have their own private trucking businesses. Derezalso works as a security officer at several restaurants. He sings on differentoccasions. Yateesha, Derez’s wife, works in a trucking company and is arealtor.

Their younger sons, Israel and Bryson, are involved in sports, and both aremusically gifted. They keep us laughing with their sense of humor! Theiroldest daughter, Nijah and her husband are both NCCU graduates and workfrom their home.

Brandon’s wife, Armecia, works as a registered nurse and graduated fromNorth Carolina A&T. Their son, Jaden is a personal fitness trainer. Heattended Guilford County Community College. Justin, their youngest son,will be enrolling in UNC, Wilmington on a track scholarship in the fall2026. He placed first in the State track competition and second in theNationals. Bryanna, the oldest daughter, is an NCCU graduate and is nowattending UNC Chapel Hill, working on her master’s degree in social work.My grandchildren are all doing well academically in school.

Kimberly is an NCCU graduate and works as a Behavior Specialist. She willbe enrolling in the fall of 2026 in the master’s program, studying BehaviorAnalysis at Purdue University. Her son, AJ, is a musician of severalinstruments and loves sports! He won the Golden Helmet Award in 2025.

I am so proud of my children and grandchildren, and their accomplishments!

My husband became ill and left us in 2021. We miss him so much! Hisgenuine love for God, family and workmanship is what has inspired us tokeep going forward towards our goals! I know he is enjoying heaven andsmiling down from above! He loved us tremendously and we loved him too!All my children have been so loving and caring since he transitioned.

I thank God for my loving parents who instilled in us the importance ofgetting a good education to accomplish our goals. I also thank my otherfamily members, who have motivated us, leading by example, attendingcolleges and universities, and doing well in their chosen careers.I’m also thankful to our God who is guiding our footsteps daily. as wecontinue making our dreams, reality!