Mr. Ronald Jefferson Webb's Obituary
Ronald Jefferson Webb – husband, father, educator and beloved granddaddy – died on Tuesday (Oct. 28, 2014). He was 87. Mr. Webb was born in Nashville in 1927 and lived most of his life in Madison. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Loretta Webb; three children – Donnie Webb of Syracuse, NY, Kathye (Gary) Loftis of Hermitage, and Jeff (Rachel) Webb of Franklin; and nine grandchildren: Mike (Amy) Loftis, Jamie, Kerri and Krissy Loftis; Cody, Austin and Alexis Webb; Amanda and Ashleigh Webb. He was preceded in death by another grandson, Mark Loftis.
For 50 years, he devoted his professional life to public education in Nashville. Mr. Webb began his teaching and coaching career in 1951 at Isaac Litton, then became the first football coach at Stratford where he transitioned into administration as assistant principal. He later served as principal at Wright Middle School before transferring for his longest assignment – nearly three decades - as principal of McMurray Middle. He loved every day in that school, working with teachers and students he said inspired him.
Mr. Webb grew up in Nashville just off West End Ave near Centennial Park. As a teen-ager, he overcame the death of his twin brother, Donald, and later his older brother, Clifford, who was killed in World War II. Mr. Webb was preceded in death by his parents – Lorena and Clifford Webb – and his sister, Martha. Mr. Webb graduated in 1945 from West High School and served in the 342nd Army Air Force Base Unit as a physical training instructor. After his service, Mr. Webb attended Peabody College where he earned a bachelor’s degree in 1951. He walked every day to school including college. He earned a master’s from Peabody in 1960.
Visitation is Wednesday from 5-8 p.m., and Thursday 9-9:45 a.m., at Spring Hill Funeral Home in Madison. Funeral services are Thursday at 10 a.m. at Spring Hill Chapel.
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