Cynthia (Thomas) "Pody” White

Cynthia Thomas White, 65, of Union, SC, peacefully entered eternal rest on Wednesday, August 27, 2025.  A native of Union County, she was the wife of Charlie Dean White and the daughter of the late James Edward Thomas and Mary Idonia Cole Thomas.

Cynthia, affectionately known to many as “Pody”, was a graduate of Lockhart High School, class of 1978. She was crowned the first Black Homecoming queen of Lockhart High School in 1977. She furthered her education earning an associate’s degree at USC-Union and later earned Human Resources Certifications from Spartanburg Community College. Cynthia’s professional career in Human Resources spanned more than 20 years, with more than a decade dedicated to Disney, where she introduced many to the Lord. She continued her ministry at her last place of employment, Standard Textile. For those that knew the Lord already, she helped them foster stronger and deeper relationships with our Heavenly Father. Cynthia was a proud and faithful member of Mt. Hopewell Baptist Church, where she served in various ministries.

Cynthia is known far and wide for her cooking and baking, two of her favorite pastimes aside from traveling to the mountains or enjoying her youngest grandbabies, Emmary and E’Lyra.

In addition to her parents, Cynthia is preceded in death by four brothers, James Lewis Thomas, Joe Robert (Sherrill) Thomas, Michael (Brenda) Thomas, and Ronald (Esther) Thomas Sr.; two sisters, Hazel Thomas (Grover) Copeland, and Patricia Ann Thomas (Dan & Saundra) Craig.

Left to cherish precious and fond memories are her husband, Charlie Dean White; son, Benjamin Giles, Jr.; daughters, Rochelle Giles-Witcher (Reginald), Charlene Scoggins, and Amanda White; seven grandchildren, Emmary Witcher, E’Lyra Giles, Brooklyn White, Alexis Rushing, Noah Scoggins, D’Asia White, Savannah White; seven great-grandchildren; two brothers, Clifford Earl (Rhonda) Thomas, and Anthony Thomas; former husband and lifelong friend, Benjamin B. Giles Sr; and a host of nieces, nephews, including two in which she played a prominent role in their upbringing, Mark Anthony (Yolanda) Thomas and LaKesha (Rudy) Glover; and a beloved community of cousins, other relatives and friends, all of whom will miss her dearly. 

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