SOUTH POINT — Helen Marie Webb, 90, of South Point died on Nov. 30 at the age of 90, but, in the month before her passing, she was bestowed an honor she was extremely proud of.
Webb was named Ohio’s 2016 Homemaker of the Year in early November by Ohio Homemakers and Community Education.
She was presented with her award while she was in the hospital for a month, following complications from a fall, Ann Dobbins, of the Lawrence County Homemakers, said.
“We had it framed and she showed it to everyone,” Dobbins said. “She was so happy about it.”
Webb, a lifelong Lawrence County resident, was a school teacher at Deering Elementary, retiring in 1988. She graduated in 1946 from Kitts Hill High School, first doing office work for Carlyle Tile Company for 20 years, before going back to school to teach.
She was a graduate of Ohio University and Marshall University. She taught a primary special education class at Deering Elementary School and retired in 1988.
She was a member of Leatherwood Missionary Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday school, served as the church secretary and Bible school secretary and was active in the Ladies Joy Fellowship Group. She was the oldest living member of the congregation, where her father, Thomas L. Webb, had been a charter member.
In addition to the Ensee Homemakers, Webb was active in Deering Grange 2664, where she was a 65-year member and was honored as Community Citizen of 1994, and the Lawrence County Retired Teachers Association.
Webb had poems published in newsletters, magazines and anthologies, published a book of Christian poems, titled “62 Poems That Sing” and was named Poet of the Year by Poet Review magazine in 1990 and Poet Laueate by Poets at Work magazine.
Webb was also a local crafter, involved in needlework, gardening and canning and participated in the Lawrence County Fair for more than 70 years.