“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” ~Proverbs 3:5-6

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Mrs. Essie D. Webb, age 95 years, of Alexandria Township, NJ, went home to the Lord she loved on Thursday, June 2, 2016 at Hunterdon Medical Center, Raritan Township, NJ.

Essie Raye Dickinson was born in Centreville, Alabama on February 19, 1921, the 8th of 10 children born to Samuel and Josephine Dickinson. She confessed faith in Jesus Christ at an early age and became an active member of the Pleasant Sabine Baptist Church. She was raised and educated in this rural farming community where she was active as an orator and graduated valedictorian of her high school class. 

After graduating from high school she continued her education at the Alabama A&M College (now University), Normal, AL where she met the love of her life, Ferance William Webb.  Both had come from poor farming communities and were working their way through college.  Their education was interrupted by World War II when Ferance was drafted into the Army.  Because of their great love, they both left school, got married, and moved to Harlingen, Texas where “Webb” was stationed, remaining there until he was shipped overseas.

After the war ended they both returned to Alabama A&M where Essie earned a BS degree in Home Economics. She would later go on to earn a MS degree from The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH in Textiles and Clothing.  However, science had always been her first love, so after serving several years as a home economics teacher, she went back to school focusing on a science curriculum which allowed her to then teach science full time.

Essie’s entire career was spent as a teacher, first teaching veterans while residing in the Huntsville, AL area and later after the family relocated to Mobile, AL in 1953, teaching senior high school and junior high school students in the Mobile County Public School System.  She retired in 1983 after more than 30 years of service as a teacher.

In Mobile, Mrs. Webb and her family joined the Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church No. 1, where she worked with the Sunday School, Deacons Wives, Floral Ministry, Choir and willingly served wherever she was needed.  She started Vacation Bible School, and for many years served as its principal. She wrote and directed the Christmas and Easter plays for many years, even continuing to do so after moving from Mobile.

Being passionate about serving her community, Mrs. Webb fulfilled this through her affiliation with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and the Alabama A&M University Alumni Association.

Mrs. Webb and her husband were married for over 62 wonderful years.  Even in their latter years it was not unusual to see them strolling hand in hand.  Throughout her husband’s illness she was always a loving and devoted caregiver to him. Following his death in 2005 she remained in Mobile until 2009, when she was no longer able to live alone.  She then moved to Chesterfield, MO to live with her daughter Gloria.  In 2013 she relocated to Alexandria Township, New Jersey to live with her daughter Glenda where she remained until her transitioning from this life to life eternal.

Mrs. Webb was a life-long learner and instilled a love for learning in her children, her students and all whose lives she touched.  She always had words of encouragement on her lips and she believed that sharing one’s experiences could be one of the best teaching tools.  She took very seriously the scripture, “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony” (Revelation 12:11). She believed, there is power to overcome life’s strongholds and roadblocks even in our testimonies and that “Testimonies are not given to remain bottled inside one, only to become entombed in the grave when the soul is called home.” They are to be shared on this side of glory!  To that end, she completed writing her book, “When God Speaks Testimonies Are Born”, which will be published posthumously. 

Mrs. Webb was truly a woman of prayer. The legacy she leaves is that of one who prayed without ceasing.  Even in the end her prayer was “Come on Jesus, Come on!”  That prayer was answered on Thursday, June 2, 2016 as He swooped down and carried her home!

She leaves to cherish her memory one brother Bishop Joseph Dickinson; three daughters, Gloria Webb Adeyemi, Glenda Carol Webb, Michelle (Timothy) Osborne; one son, Ferance (Sandra) Webb, Jr; one stepdaughter, Everlene Hayes; nine grandchildren, Olufunmike (Alyssa) Adeyemi, Felecia Webb, Jamelle Osborne, Jahla Osborne, Fenysa Kalume Kitua, Jeremy (Callie) Hayes, Jody Thomas, Travis Miller, Julia Miller; and four great-grandchildren, Selena Golden, Emily and Isaiah Adeyemi, Magnus Hayes; a very devoted nephew, Wilber (Gwendolyn) Webb, and a host of nieces and nephews, cousins, students, and friends.

Mrs. Webb was preceded in death by her husband and her grandson, Olugbenro Adeyemi.

Calling hours will take place Tuesday, June 7, 2016 from 6:00-7:30 p.m. at Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ. A Life Celebration service will follow at 7:30 p.m.

Essie will then be taken home for burial in Gethsemane Cemetery next to her beloved husband in Mobile, AL. Arrangements in Alabama will be announced by her “adopted son,” Karl K. Bell and Bell Funeral Home, 228 Tuskeena Street, Hayneville, AL 36042, Telephone: 334.548.5122.

Everyone is invited to visit Essie’s permanent memorial site at www.wrightfamily.com to send a public or private message of condolence and to share stories and photographs of her life.

In lieu of flowers and grateful for their support and caring, the family has requested that those wishing to do so please make donations to the Milford-Holland Rescue Squad, 151 Water Street, Milford, NJ 08848.