Lorraine E. White died at 94

White was the first Native American and first woman to hold the position of BIA superintendent, according to her family

Author:
ICT
Publish date:
Mar 22, 2023

Lorraine E. White. (Photo courtesy of Lorraine White's family)

White was the first Native American and first woman to hold the position of BIA superintendent, according to her family

Lorraine E. White passed away January 21, 2023, due to complications from a hip surgery and COVID pneumonia complications. She was 94 at the time of her death. Lorraine was born on February 19, 1928, to Reyes Jojola and William Savilla, at the Quechan Indian reservation.

Lorraine attended catholic boarding school in Arizona and New Mexico, and went on to attend Haskell in Lawrence, Kansas. After graduating from Haskell with business courses, she took a position with the Bureau of Affairs in Parker, Arizona. BIA tenure: Lorraine began as a fiscal accounting clerk, which is one of the lowest grade of a civil service position. In less than 20 years tenure, Lorraine became first Native American and the first woman to hold the position of BIA superintendent. After 33 years of service with the BIA she retired and decided to run for council and was elected as the first woman to hold the office of Quechan Tribal President.

Lorraine E. White. (Photo courtesy of Lorraine White's family)

She is proceeded in death by her parents, William Savilla, Quechan, and Reyes Jojola; and her husband, Lester F. White, Mojave, and son, Robert Burke White. She is the daughter in law/stepdaughter of Agnes Savilla, Mojave.

Lorraine is survived by her son, William J. White; her grandson, Dustin R. White and his son, Drake White; her granddaughter, Jessica and her three children; son, Mason; her daughter, Jocelynn and youngest son, Dylan.

Viewing will be Friday, February 3, 2023, at Yuma Mortuary from 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Following will be Traditional Rites at the Quechan Big House from 5:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.

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Pallbearers will be Officers from Quechan Police Department, Fish & Game and Tribal Security.

Honorary Pallbearers, Philip Savilla, Anthony Savilla, Edmund Savilla, Philip Savilla Jr., Kaden Bowannie, Nicholas Savilla, Hyson Savilla, Zachary Savilla, Zaden Valdez, Elijah Savilla, Xander Robles, Makario Savilla, Chano Escalante Sr., Morales Escalante, Jesse Escalanti, Charles Escalanti, Keeny Escalanti Sr., Destry Escalanti, Virgil Smith, William J. White, Don Menta, John Joaquin, Jordan Joaquin, Eldon Miguel Jr., Emmett Hartt Sr., Larry Hammond, Jr., Eric Hills, Ron Aguerro, Thomas Hills, Larry Martinez, Clifton Fierro, Gordon Osborne, Norman Osborne, Tim O'Brien, Cody Hartt, Emilio Escalanti, Travis Owl, Wilfred Emerson.

On behalf of the Savilla, Escalante, Miguel and Joaquin families, we would like to express our thanks to all those who have came forward on helping with the services.

Please sign the guestbook at www.legacy.com/obituaries/yumasun