This obituary has been placed on our website as a courtesy to the O'Cain family. The family has a deep and rich heritage in Hamilton County. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.


Mary Louise O'Cain Dieffenwierth White, 82, passed away Monday, March 6, 2018 at Westminster Towers Assisted Living in Bradenton, FL. Mary Lou was born in Jasper FL to the late Marvin and Edith O'Cain. She was the first born in this family followed by her sister Delores and her brother Charles, each of whom reside and raised their families in the Jasper area.

After graduating from Jasper High School, Mary Lou left Jasper to attend Charity Hospital School of Nursing in New Orleans, LA. Upon graduation from nursing school, Mary Lou married Bert Dieffenwierth whom she had had a crush on since she met him at age 17. Together they lived a good life as Bert followed his calling as a Methodist Minister in various cities throughout Florida, and she as a Registered Nurse in county health departments and home health in each of the towns in which they lived.

Mary Lou is survived by her three children; Bill Dieffenwierth of Jacksonville, FL, and his wife Joy and their four children, Laine, Kenna, Jacie and Jarrett and a great grand daughter Talia; Mary Katherine Damkroger of Richardson, TX, and her husband Sean and their two children Joshua and Benjamin; and James O'Cain Dieffenwierth of Venice, FL, and his wife Kerri and their two children, Samuel and Julia. Mary Lou was preceded in death by Bert in 1989.

Several years later Mary Lou found love again in a second marriage to John White, also a United Methodist Minister, and together they enjoyed a life residing in both the Westminster Community in Bradenton, FL and their mountain house in Linville, NC. She was fortunate to expand her family to include her stepson Maurice White of Plano, TX and his wife Geri and his two children Jeremy and Michelle and four great grand children, Elizabeth, Katherine, Melissa and Carson; and her stepson Dale White of Bradenton, FL. Mary Lou was preceded in death by John in 2014.

A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday March 17 ^th at 2:00 p.m. at First United Methodist Church of Jasper, FL followed by a graveside committal at the nearby family cemetery. A Memorial Service will also be held March 24 at 10:00 a.m. at the Westminster Towers Chapel in Bradenton, FL.

Memorial contributions may be sent to Westminster Towers & Shores Employee Scholarship Fund. Make a Gift | Westminster Communities of Florida in memory of Mary Lou White.