Mary Jane Webb

Mary Jane Lancaster Webb, 96, passed peacefully at home, Sunday, August 8, 2021. A memorial service is scheduled for Sunday, August 15th at 3:00pm at the First United Methodist Church, 222 West 7th Street, Columbia, TN, 38401. Family will receive visitors prior to the service beginning at 2:00pm. The family suggests memorials to Ayers-Whitney Fellowship Sunday School Class, First United Methodist Church, 222 West 7th Street, Columbia, TN 38401. Notes of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.oakesandnichols.com. Born, June 27th, 1925 in Lobelville, TN, Mary was the daughter of the late William Hicks Lancaster, Nettie Alexander Lancaster and the youngest of 4 children. After graduating from Lobelville High School, one of twelve students in her graduating class, she left Perry County to live in the big city, Nashville, where she worked for DuPont as a secretary. One of her favorite stories to tell about her time in Nashville was dancing in the streets of downtown to celebrate the end of WWII. She recalled the scene to be just like the famous picture of the sailor and the girl. Shortly after the end of the war she reconnected with a friend, and Navy veteran, from Perry County, Joe Webb. That was the beginning of a love affair and marriage that lasted 63 years. After their wedding in 1947, Mary and Joe moved to Columbia, TN where they raised two children, Steve and Cathy, and were active members in the community. Mary was involved in organizations including; Chairman’s Club Advisory Board at First Farmers & Merchants Bank, Girl Scout Leader, James K Polk Association, Maury Regional Hospital, McDowell School, the Democratic Party, The Anthenaeum, Central Christian Church and First United Methodist Church of Columbia. She was also the welcoming smile at Dr. Douglas E. Overton’s office for many years. Mary loved life and lived it to the fullest. She was woman with true southern charm a huge heart, ton of spunk, and smile that just made you happy. She used her gift of hospitality to bring people together. Mary and Joe built a home that welcomed generations of family and friends. No one was a stranger at the Webb home. Each guest was greeted with open arms, a giant smile and something delicious to eat and drink. Her energy and enthusiasm were contagious and she loved to have a good time. Mary was the first on the dance floor and the last to leave. A great beauty and fashion icon, she was known to be dressed to the nines at all times often in her signature color red or dawning one of her famous hats. Mary & Joe’s storybook romance drew the attention of the Tennessean where an article was written about their “wunnerful” marriage which included Saturday night dance parties to the Lawrence Welk show. In the article, the writer described the couple, “Mary loves talking about it (their Saturday night dates) waving her hands, silver bracelets dancing in the breeze. (Joe would brag about it too, if he could get a word in edgewise. Mary is a talker, which is OK because she always has something interesting to say.)” She is survived by her son, Steve Webb of Florida; daughter Cathy Webb Thomas (Robert P.) of Nashville; grandchildren Stephen Lindsey of Nashville; Martha Webb Galyon (L.A.).; and great-granddaughters Hallie Jane and Martha Anderson Galyon of Nashville. Other special family members include Paige Thomas Caldwell (Edward) of Nashville, their daughters Casey of Aspen and Sara Kennon of Nashville, Park Thomas (Carsten Wilmes) of Washington D.C., John Thomas of Knoxville, Linda Webb of Nashville, and Denise Brice of Old Hickory. Special friends include; Joy Rhodes, Carolyn Lofton, Sissi Smith, Martha Jones, Pam Hickman, Mary Beth Cotham, Sheliah Wall, Starling Davis, Teresa Rose, Jane Franks, Beverly Pigg, Pamela Smith, Donna Brown, Martha Kelley and Betty Hamilton. Honorary pallbearers include; Billy Booker, John Cotham, Frick Hickman, Chipper Jones, Gary Ledbetter, Ray Lofton, Bobby McIver, Mike Rhodes, Kenneth Shropshire, Ayers Whitney Fellowship Class, Maury Regional Volunteers, and Young at Heart. Oakes & Nichols Funeral Directors are assisting the family with arrangements.