Obituary: Reverend James Wilson Webb, Jr. (May 13, 1946–August 29, 2024)

Reverend James Wilson Webb, Jr., died Thursday, August 29, 2024, at Baptist Memorial Hospital – Booneville. The memorial service will be Monday, September 9, 2024, at 11:00 A.M. at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church with The Rt. Rev. Dorothy Wells and The Rt. Rev. Duncan Gray officiating. Visitation will be held prior to the service beginning at 10:00 A.M. Inurnment will follow in the St. Peter’s Columbarium.

Rev. Webb was born on May 13, 1946, in Durham, North Carolina, to the late Anna Bertha Owen and James W. Webb. He was dedicated and active member of St. Peter’s Episcopal church where he served as a lay leader and communicant. Following retirement from the state welfare department, Rev. Webb was called to ministry and attended seminary at the University of the South at Sewanee. Throughout his career in the ministry, he served as Rector at St. James Episcopal Church in Port Gibson, MS, St. Stephen’s in Indianola, and as acting priest at All Saints Church in Inverness, MS. Rev. Webb retired from the ministry in 2013, continuing to serve at All Saints until May of 2024.

Rev. Webb attended Ole Miss, where he met his wife, Marsha Cole Webb during his freshman year at a football game in New Orleans. She joyfully recalls that their serendipitous meeting was by chance as her date “wandered off” and, for reasons she cannot understand, his date did not like him. Their love story that spanned 60 years began that night and led to a beautiful marriage of 56 years. During his time at Ole Miss, he was a member of the band and Alpha Tau Omega fraternity before graduating in 1968. He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed spending time deer and bird hunting.

Rev. Webb was devoted to his family and could often be found beaming with pride as he spoke of his sons and their families. He was a friend to many and held his friendships in high regard. He was especially close to his friend, the late Dale Weeks, his High School classmates, and to the men of his Friday lunch group. Before moving back to Oxford, he would often drive over from the Delta to attend the Friday lunches. Rev. Webb cherished his dogs throughout the years, from childhood onward, and was especially drawn to shelter dogs and stray dogs. Over the years, he brought home many dogs without regret. His family struggles to narrow down a favorite as they each greatly enriched his life with their companionship and loyalty.

Rev. Webb held wonderful memories of the trips with Marsha to The Holy Land, France, and England including a visit to Canterbury Cathedral. Although he enjoyed traveling from time to time, he was very happy being at home and in the community of Oxford he so loved.

Rev. Webb is survived by his wife, Marsha Kay Cole Webb of Oxford; two sons, James Wilson Webb, III and his wife, Karen of Tampa, FL and Thomas Gentry Webb and his wife, Kari of Benton, AR; an uncle, John Webb of Greenwood, MS; three grandchildren, Chandler, Parker and Maddox and one great-grandchild, Delilah.

Expressions of sympathy or memorial contributions in Rev. Webb’s memory may be made to the St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 113 South 9th Street, Oxford, MS 38655 or online at https://stpetersoxford.kindful.com/ or to Oxford Animal Resource Center, 413 McElroy Drive, Oxford, MS 38655 or online at https://checkout.shelterluv.com/donate/OARC.