Lu Webb went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Saturday, April 23, 2016. Lu was born Aug. 7, 1927, to Lewis and Blanche Vowell in Colorado City, Texas.
Lu was no stranger to lean times growing up during the Great Depression. She knew the value of hard work and did her fair share growing up on a working cotton farm, also raising dairy cows and chickens. She continued to manage affairs for Vowell Farms up until her death.
Lu graduated from Colorado High School in 1943. She was a real life “Rosie the Riveter” during World War II. In a time when many women did not travel far from home, she blazed a path across the country and entered the workforce. Fibbing about her age, she went to work before her eighteenth birthday, for Boeing in Reton, Washington. There Lu attached the 1st and 4th motor covers for B-29 bombers. She was so proud of her country and the part she played in the war effort.
She graduated from Western Union School in Springfield, Missouri, in 1947, with proficiency in teleprinter operations and counter clerking.
Lu worked for Western Union throughout south Texas as a telegrapher, and worked her way up to office manager in Raymondville.
Lu married J. T. “Sonny” Webb on March 26, 1953, in Colorado City. They were devoted to one another and enjoyed 60 years of marriage before he passed. They built a home in Nursery, Texas, where they raised their two sons, sharing with them their love of country life. She always kept a hot lunch on the table and an immaculate home. They enjoyed a marriage of equals and remained steadfast to one another and the family they built.
Lu worked at Hanson Feed and Supply as bookkeeper, in Cuero, Texas. She also substitute taught at Nursery School, where her sons attended. For the majority of her career, Lu served as the business manager at Gulf Coast Wood Products. She was a phenomenal businesswoman with a head for numbers and customer service. Her business legacy lives on in the professional careers of ladies she trained at Gulf Coast. She retired from Gulf Coast in 1986.
Lu lived her life in service to her community – most notably as a member of Pilot International.
She served Pilot in many roles including Region V Lieutenant Governor (94-95), District Project Coordinator (96-97), District Awards Jury Chairperson (97-98), District Chaplain (99-00) and District Club Builder (00-01). Locally, Lu served the Cuero Pilot Club as President in 1987 and 1992 and fund-raising coordinator.
She was the Pilot Club Sweetheart in 1992. She was always ready to lend a hand and worked very hard to help raise others up; always encouraging those around her to think of new ways to serve their community.
Lu recruited many to Pilot and was always there to encourage them to serve in officer positons.
Lu was a veteran traveler who visited most of the United States and traveled abroad to Greece, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and Turkey. She enjoyed seeing the sights and learning about new cultures. She enjoyed sharing her adventures with family and friends upon her return home.
Family was everything to Lu; she was a devoted mother, sister, grandmother and great-grandmother. Spending time with her family was what she treasured most in life. She was a hands-on grandmother keeping her granddaughters often and making sure the wisdom she gathered throughout her life was imparted to them. She derived great joy from having her great-grandchildren play at her feet.
Many people referred to her as “Mom Lu” or “Momma Lu.”
She had a motherly way about her and never hesitated to offer encouragement or a hug to those she met.
Lu’s eyes sparkled when she laughed. Her sense of humor was a large part of who she was, always ready for a good laugh.
She was not one to hold her tongue; she would let you know exactly what she was thinking even if it was not what you wanted to hear. Her family will miss her laughter, wisdom, and the listening ear she was always ready to offer.
She was preceded in death by her parents and husband. She is survived in death by her brother Dru Vowell (wife Dana) of Lubbock, sister Wanda “Sam” Nix of Midland; sons John L. Webb (wife Debbie) and Thomas Webb (wife Kelly); granddaughters Julie Gray (husband Marc), Jennifer Webb, Alyssa Tinsley (husband Klaus); and great-grandchildren Jolie Lambert-Gray, Marlie Gray, Thomas Tinsley, Kate Tinsley and Jane Tinsley. She leaves behind daughters of the heart in Peggy Mayer, Gail Morton, Margie Surratt, and Elaine Foster. She also leaves Butch Hartman, who was as loyal and loving as any son could be – she loved the red roses he always brought her.
The family extends their deepest gratitude to her caregivers Lisa Anzaldua, Maggie Garza, and Sheri Isenegger. The superb care and love they gave to Lu is a gift that cannot be repaid and her life was enriched by their devotion and friendship. The family would also like to thank Dr. Khiem Vu and Dr. Chelif Junor, who went above and beyond the call of duty in their care for Lu.
Thanks are also extended to Excel Complete Home Healthcare.
Family will receive friends Tuesday, April 26, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Grace Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, April 27, at 10:30 a.m. at Northside Baptist Church with Pastor Tim Williams officiating.
Burial will follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery.
Pallbearers are Butch Hartman, Dale Hartman, Bradly Hill, Klaus Tinsley, Tom Cheatham, Jimmy Mayer, Tyler Ricotilli, and Mark Brown. Honorary pallbearers are Jim Webb, Jack Powell, Marc Gray, Jerry Hunter and the Open Door Sunday School class at Northside Baptist Church.
Donations in Lu’s memory may be made to Northside Baptist Church, 4100 N Laurent St., Victoria, Texas 77901 or Sportsman’s Church, 8793 U.S. HWY 87, Victoria, TX 77904.
Condolences and memories can be shared at www.gracefuneralhome.net.
Services are under the direction and personal care of Grace Funeral Home.