Remembering Bishop
Frank Otha White
(1940-2017)
Brilliantly favored among noble men, South Carolinian native Bishop Frank Otha White was the principal architect of the towering Freeport landmark, the Zion Cathedral Church of God in Christ whose royal structure stands tall across the skyline of Long Island’s South Shore in New York.
Under Bishop White’s more than 47 years of the pastorate, Zion’s membership has grown to well over 1,500, actively involved in more than 25 fully operational ministries for children, youth, adults, singles, couples, senior citizens and the entire family. Along with this visible contribution to the religious community, Bishop White was admired as both a spiritual father and friend to the entire ecumenical community, respected for enlisting fellowship with Long Island’s largest representation of Christian organizations, religious bodies, and inter-faith endeavors.
Known for his visionary predisposition, Bishop White was the Founding Chief Executive Officer of the Cedarmore Corporation -- the subsidiary Social Services Arm of Zion Cathedral specializing in youth-related educational activities. He was also Founding President of the Conference of Clergy of Long Island. The scope of service Bishop White fulfilled with distinction continues upon every vital theme of Long Island Life: From his contribution as a benefactor of the Freeport High School Scholarship Committee to his sponsorship of the Economic Opportunity Council Summer Basketball Team for Boys.
Bishop White, who held the distinction of Honorary Deputy Mayor of Freeport, is the recipient of a broad library of citations and awards from nearly every level of government, business, religion, education, civic life, and community relations. Among these awards is the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Award for Distinguished Community Service awarded by the Freeport Human Relations Committee.
In recognition of Bishop White’s distinguished contribution to the Church, he was honored with the Charles Harrison Mason Award named for the Church’s Founding Father. In 2008, Bishop White was elected by the General Assembly of the Church of God in Christ to serve on the General Board. His re-election in 2012 was favored with Presiding Bishop Charles E. Blake’s appointment of Bishop White as Assistant Secretary of the General board.
From the upstate borders of New York extending to the farthest points of eastern Long Island – more than 500 miles covered by his jurisdictional oversight – Bishop White was known as a genuine, true-hearted public servant, a highly respected colleague in civic circles, and a trusted, deeply influential dignitary among his constituents – a prolific theologian, a benevolent philanthropist, a widely cited expositor, a published scholar, and a religious educator, Bishop White, upon every frontier, passionately moved every enterprise and harnessed every resource to cultivate a stronger society.
Bishop White and his lovely wife of 56 years, Dr. Juliet L. White were blessed with one son, Bishop Frank Anthone, four accomplished daughters, and the grandparents of five.
Remembering Dr. Juliet White
(1942-2025)
Dr. Juliet L. White, the precious Honorary Elect Lady of Zion Cathedral, has devoted her entire life to reaching, teaching and touching the hearts of all those seeking a deeper relationship and closer connection with the Lord Jesus Christ.
From the sand hills of Charleston South Carolina, with the hand of God upon her life from early on, divine providence carried her into the cosmopolitan adventure of New York where she met and married the love of her life, Bishop Frank Otha White. Together they took to the road, traversing the ripe fields of Evangelism declaring that “To the Utmost, Jesus Saves!”
All along, however, the unquestionable joy of her life remained the call to the Ministry of Motherhood. Having successfully educated her five children, she herself excelled in the field of Early Childhood Education, earning undergraduate and graduate degrees in Elementary Education, further earning her New York State Teaching Certificate.
Despite the accomplishment of her advanced learning as a trained Theologian, having subsequently earned a Doctor of Sacred Theology and co-founding what is now the widely recognized Mason Kelly Washington White Religious Training Institute, Dr. White’s deepest passion is rooted in the power of prayer.
Dr. White’s precious anointing has touched us all and has awakened within our hearts a readiness to arise with Bishop Frank Anthone, Sherri, Otha, Chakira, Yashima, her grandchildren and great-grandson to arise and call her Blessed! For a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised!
