AJC Covers Lady Sintana’s Passing; Public Memorial Info

The Atlanta Journal Constitution’s Rick Badie covers Lady Sintana’s passing:

In 1975, Mrs. White, aka Lady Sintana, founded Ravenwood Church, the state’s first pagan congregation. By 1982, the high priestess had successfully challenged the IRS and Ravenwood became one of the first Pagan congregations in the country to be granted tax-exempt status as a church.

It was significant work, said her husband, David John White, aka Lord Merlin, the Elder High Priest of  Ravenwood, now located in Johns Creek.

“Her mission in life was to bring respect and legality to the pagan religion,” he said. “She not only won legal battles, but she won over hearts as well. Her main idea was not to convert people but to have some venue where people could learn the truth.”

Recently, Candace H. Lehrman White, 73,  had resided with her daughter in western North Carolina. She died Sept. 17 from complications of lung cancer.  A public memorial will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Oct. 2 at Gala Special Events, 3760 Lower Roswell Road, in Marietta.

Born on a Kansas dairy farm, Mrs. White moved from Buffalo, N.Y., to Atlanta to nurse an ill friend. She stayed and elected to follow her father into ministry but as a high priestess of Wicca, not in the Baptist faith.

Previous PNC-GA coverage of Lady Sintana’s passing:

Family Obit for Lady Sintana

Lady Sintana: Atlanta Legend Passes

Op/Ed: The Unexpected Blessings of Lady Sintana

Press Release: Founder of Ravenwood Passage

Family Obit for Lady Sintana; No Services Planned Yet

The News-Herald has published the following obituary for Ravenwood tradition founder and Atlanta legend, Lady Sintana (Candace Lehrman White):

Candy Lehrman White, 73, of Burke County, passed away peacefully from this life while in the care of Burke Hospice and with her family by her side.

She leaves behind her husband and best friend, David White of Georgia; a daughter, Sybil L. Montello-Carswell and her husband, Victor; a grandson, Carl R. Simone, all of Valdese; and numerous friends in the Atlanta, Ga., area.

No services will be held at this time.

Valdese Family Funeral Care has the honor of serving the family.

There are no further updates regarding memorials in the Atlanta area.

Previous PNC-GA coverage of Lady Sintana’s passing:

Lady Sintana: Atlanta Legend Passes

Op/Ed: The Unexpected Blessings of Lady Sintana

Press Release: Founder of Ravenwood Passage

Press Release: Founder of Ravenwood Passage

Press Release from Ravenwood Church, Johns Creek, GA September 20, 2010:

Ravenwood and Seminary of Wicca, Inc
10945 State Bridge Road
Ste 401-104
Johns Creek, GA 30022

Press Release
Contact: Lady Maia
LadyMaia@HouseofRavenwood.org
http://www.houseofravenwood.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
9 A.M. EDT, September 20, 2010

Ravenwood Church and Seminary of the Old Religion  (a.k.a, The House of Ravenwood) announced today that on September 17, 2010 at 6:00 pm, Our Founder, Elder High Priestess and Witch Queen, Lady Sintana passed over into the Summerland.  Her family surrounded her and aided her in her final journey. She is survived by her husband and best friend Lord Merlin, Elder High Priest of Ravenwood, along with her daughter, son-in-law and grandson.

Lady Sintana founded Ravenwood Church and Seminary of Wicca, Inc.  in the mid 1970s in an old Victorian home on Moreland Avenue.  She became a public figure in Atlanta and was known as ‘ The Lady’.

Our Lady Sintana’s life’s work was instrumental on both the local and federal level in the fight to insure the freedom for all witches to practice our religion.  Through court battles, public education and continual spiritual guidance of those drawn to our faith, Lady Sintana led Ravenwood to become one of the first churches of Wicca to receive 501(c) 3 status as a not-for-profit church.  Her pioneering efforts led to the granting of tax exemption rights, gathering rights and zoning rights for Ravenwood, setting critical precedents in the ongoing fight for religious tolerance.  Many of the privileges that Wiccans and Pagans enjoy today are the direct result of her irrepressible will and courage.

Under her spiritual leadership and training, Ravenwood developed some of the finest ritual Priestesses and Priests.  Her legacy and traditions continue through four active sister groups:  Ravenwood Church, Myst of the Wildwood, House of Dragonwood and Sage Moon Grove. These groups provide services and training within the Ravenwood Tradition.  In addition, many other groups around the country can trace their traditions and training directly to the Lady’s influence and teaching.

Lady had an exuberant spirit and was always willing to lend guidance and offer words of wisdom.   We will miss her laughter, her smile, her warm heart and support. Our thoughts are with the immediate family at this time as we share their loss and celebrate a life of consequence and impact.  She lives on through each of us who have been touched by her work.

The House of Ravenwood will hold a public memorial gathering on October 2, 2010.   Location and time TBA. In lieu of flowers, donations should be made to Ravenwood Church.

Lady Maia, High Priestess of Ravenwood

Lord Merlin,  Elder High Priest of the Ravenwood Tradition

Other Tributes to Lady Sintana:

House of Ravenstone Church and Seminary of the Old Religion

The Wild Hunt, a Pagan News Blog

Pantheon, the Pagan blog at Patheos.com

Previous PNC post on Lady Sintana