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Firecracker 5K: Honoring The Memory Of A Local Blind Runner
July 5, 2009
Last year, Angie White of Flomaton was legally blind when she ran the Firecracker 5K in Pensacola for the Fourth of July. Saturday, several area runners ran the race in her memory.
Angie was diagnosed with a brain tumor in September 2007, and was left legally blind. She ran the Firecracker on July 4, 2008, with husband Earnie White and best friend Jo Nolin holding her arms, guiding her across the finish line. It took her just less than an hour, almost 50 minutes behind the leader. Friends cheered and shouted her name as she crossed the finish line at number 732 out of 736 runners.
Angie died in February of this year after her battle with the disease called glioblastoma multiforme. Saturday, several runners from the area — including Earnie White and Jo Nolin — ran this year’s Firecracker 5K without Angie. They ran to honor her memory in the race that benefits those in need served by the Ronald McDonald House.
When doctors discovered the mass in her head, it was the size of a tennis ball. She underwent surgery on September 23, 2007. She stopped breathing. She survived the emergency procedure doctors performed, but her sight did not.
After the surgery, she was left unable to walk, unable to sit up. She credited the Lord for allowing her the strength to finish the race.
White often ran 5K and 10K races and even competed in the triathlon. She was active in her community as well, serving in the Flomaton Quaterback Club and Flomaton Band Boosters. She was a member of the Flomaton Baptist Church.
White died February 11, 2009, at the age of 49. She was survived by her husband, Earnest Ray White and three children.
Pictured top: Angie White (center) was legally blind when she ran last year’s Firecracker 5K on the July 4. She ran with the support of friend Jo Nolin (left) and husband Earnie White. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Comments
4 Responses to “Firecracker 5K: Honoring The Memory Of A Local Blind Runner”
It was an honor to run the race in Angie’s memory on Saturday. Most of the group, who became known as “Angie’s Team” ran this year’s race in her honor. She fought a brave fight and she has won the ultimate race of eternity. She was strong in her faith and loved her Lord, so after winning her final race on Feb. 11 of this year, she is now in the presence of her Saviour. We were work out partners for 20 years, working our on Monday and Wednesdays every week. I never will run another step or take a bike ride that I don’t think of her. She was an inspiration to many in the way she handled her illness and treatment and I was blessed to be loved by her. We ran four races last year and “Angie’s Team” members will run those same run this year with her name on our backs in her honor. Thanks for this article as a tribute to her on this special day.
Mrs. Angie was an inspiration to many…When my mother Martha Anderson was shot in 1981 she faced many obstacles in her recovery and Mrs. Angie, Mr. Earnie as well as Mrs. Jo Nolin were very positive and helped my mother and I through many rough times. I appreciate everything they did for my family. I think the world needs more people like them in it….What a Blessing it was to have Mrs. Angie in my life as a Friend and an Honorable Person to whom I looked up to. This is such a touching story and I Thank NorthEscambia for publishing it on here for all to see that Mrs. Angie is Still a Hero and will be remembered for all the Good that she did while on Earth.
I think about Ernie and the kids every time we drive by their home. RIP Angie…we’ll see you again, soon!
I went to school with Angie (McCall). She was four grades ahead of me, but she treated myself and everyone else as if we were all in her class. She is and will always be a true hero.