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 Point NC.

I now reside in a small town in Randolph County. I’m widowed, living with my

daughter, Kimberly and her son, AJ. She has been a wonderful blessing to me!

My early childhood days were spent in a Christian environment with a

devoted caring father who was a minister, and a loving mother, who was the

best cook around! She prepared hot, delicious, nutritious meals while dad

was the breadwinner. There were nine siblings. In mom’s spare time, she

became a writer. We were not all at home at the same time. Some sisters and

brothers had already left for college or the armed forces. We were raised to

believe that dancing, going to the movies, or listening to secular music, such

as jazz, rhythm and blues, or anything that was not Christian music was

considered unholy or a sin.

We slipped and did those things anyway and it was fun! On Saturday

mornings when dad and mom went grocery shopping, we would turn on

American Bandstand or Soul train, musical shows on the TV. or the radio

and would have a dancing-good time! Our older sister, Teresa, who had gone

away to Howard University, would come home and teach us the latest

dances.

I really appreciated my teachings from my family and the church. They

helped me stay grounded when I went away to college. During my preteen

years, I was the president of a summer neighborhood club. We shared

summaries of books that we were reading. Mom made cookies 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 bible

school one summer, when our family moved to Trinity NC. It was fun and

exciting! I loved working with children!

I also drew a school of cut out paper dolls. My playmate, sister, Gail, and I

would play for hours at a time with the school, having fire drills too! We

often laugh about this even today!

That’s when I knew that one day, I would be a teacher! My first role model

was 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 the

family 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 Commonwealth

University. She’s no longer with us but has left a beautiful legacy and

wonderful memories to cherish! I followed in her footsteps and went to

NCCU to obtain my bachelor’s degree in early childhood education. My

daughter, Kimberly, my daughter in law, Armecia, and step granddaughter,

also graduated from NCCU.

I met the love of my life in my sophomore year of college but didn’t start

dating him until a year later. I had dreams prior to meeting him, of finding a

handsome young Christian man one day, so that I could have some beautiful

babies! The dream came true!

One month after I graduated, Steve and I had a beautiful country wedding at

our family home. My youngest sister was my maid of honor and William

Martin, Steve’s cousin, was the best man. Rick, my youngest brother, sang at

our wedding! Two years later, our first son, Steven Derez, was born.

Fast forwarding, Steve was a very ambitious young man. He learned the

profession of masonry, inspired and taught to him by my father. He later

attended Guilford County Community College, where he studied Blueprint

Comprehension. He had dreams of having his own company. He asked me

what I thought about it and I replied, “Go for It!!!” He started his own brick

masonry 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 Kimberly

Eve was born. Our beautiful family was complete! I began focusing on my

career. I was the director of a childcare center in High Point, NC for several

years. I was employed also with High Point/ Guilford County Schools. At a

local church, I worked in the children’s ministry as director and directed the

children’s choir. Steve played the keyboard for the young adults and the

children’s choir.

We decided to relocate to Steve’s hometown, Siler City, NC. I became a

teacher and director of a child development center for physically and

mentally challenged children, mainstreamed in typically developing classes.

During this time, we both became involved in the music ministry at several

churches. Steve also became a minister and preached on special occasions,

and man, could he preach! I sang on the praise and worship teams while

Steve played the keyboard. It was very rewarding, doing the work of the

Lord and winning souls to Christ!

He later began construction of apartment buildings and was involved in

several projects in the surrounding areas of Chatham County.

Finally, we moved to Randolph County. I finished my teaching career in that

school system, retiring in 2013.

My love for teaching didn’t stop after retiring. I began teaching at Randolph

Community College as an English professor, teaching English for twelve

years, to students of other countries. I really enjoyed inspiring and working

with these students, who were determined after long hours, to learn English.

My favorite hobby is writing! I have written poems, songs, plays, and

published two books titled Miracle and I Love Poems, The latter was

illustrated by my niece Zayra Williams- Allen, daughter of our Teresa and

brother in law, Newman Williams, and twin of Jamila. Both books were

edited by my sister, Dr. Gwendolyn Scotton Bethea.

My sons are married and have their own private trucking businesses. Derez

also works as a security officer at several restaurants. He sings on different

occasions. Yateesha, Derez’s wife, works for a trucking company and is a

realtor.

Their younger sons, Israel and Bryson, are involved in sports, and both are

musically gifted. They keep us laughing with their sense of humor! Their

oldest daughter, Nijah and her husband both work from their homes.

Brandon’s wife, Armecia, works as a registered nurse. Their son, Jaden is a

personal fitness trainer. He attended Guilford County Community College.

Justin, their youngest son, will be enrolling in UNC, Wilmington on a track

scholarship in the fall 2026. Bryanna, their oldest child, is an NCCU

graduate and is now attending UNC Chapel Hill, working on her master’s

degree in social work.

My grandchildren are all doing well academically in school.

Kimberly is a Behavior Specialist. She will be enrolling in the fall of 2026 in

the master’s program, studying Behavior Analysis at Purdue University. Her

son, AJ, is a musician of several instruments 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! His

genuine love for God, family and workmanship is what has inspired us to

keep going forward towards our goals! I know he is enjoying heaven and

smiling 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 of

getting a good education to accomplish our goals. I also thank my other

family members, who have motivated us, leading by example, attending

colleges and universities, and doing well in their chosen careers.

I’m also thankful to our God who is guiding our footsteps daily. as we

continue making our dreams, reality!