Wallace Edwards Webb's Obituary
Wallace Edwards Webb
October 16, 1927 – December 3, 2022
The Rev. Wallace Webb, Dunedin resident, died at Mease Life on Dec. 3, 2022. Wally was preceded in death by his parents, Herbert Sr. and Inez Webb, his brothers Herbert Jr. and Willie, and his sisters Daisy and Betty. He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Alma, son Mitchell Webb (Gayle) of Dunedin, daughter Marti Slay (Dave) of Trussville, Alabama, grandchildren Angela Webb, Nathan Webb (Christi), Gavin Slay, and Emma Farris (Joseph), one great grandchild, Lee Webb, and a host of beloved nieces and nephews.
Born in Lakeland, Florida, on Oct. 16, 1927, he was first named Hugh. The paper misprinted it as High Webb. A few days later, his parents decided to change his name to Wallace, and that name stuck. If there was early doubt as to what he would be called throughout his life, there was no doubt about who he was: honorable, compassionate, and honest, with a deep faith that led him to develop a lifelong conviction for justice and a commitment to peace.
An avid Bible scholar, Wally was the epitome of a lifelong learner. The only thing he loved more than a bookstore was a quiet place to read, ruler and colored pens in hand to mark the passages that most impressed him.
He received a Bachelor of Arts in religious studies from Stetson University in 1949 and spent a year at Southern Baptist Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, then studied for one term at St. John’s College in Annapolis, Maryland. After getting married in Washington, D.C., he and Alma moved to Rochester, New York, where he earned his Master of Divinity at Colgate Rochester Divinity School in 1956, followed by three years of religious study in Old Testament at Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati, Ohio. Several years later he completed his second master’s degree at the University of South Florida, which enhanced his career as a social worker for the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation for the State of Florida.
Wally served as a pastor at Clifton Baptist Church in Clifton, New York, Genesee Baptist Church in Rochester, New York, Roselawn Baptist Church in Cincinnati, Ohio, Church of the Master in Newark, Ohio, and American Baptist Community Church in Parma, Ohio. In 1964, he left the pastoral ministry and moved to Florida to become a counselor for Vocational Rehabilitation, where he worked for 25 years.
Whether he preached it from the pulpit or exhibited it in his day-to-day interactions with others, Wally’s deep and abiding faith led him to work for peace and justice, helping “the least of these.” He believed “you can’t teach a hungry person about God,” and he also worked to address the systems that lead to poverty, war, and injustice. An outspoken advocate for racial justice, he was present at the 1963 March on Washington when Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gave his “I have a dream” speech.
Wally retired from Vocational Rehabilitation in 1989 and spent his remaining years enjoying his grandchildren, visiting friends and family around the country, and continuing his studies of the
Bible as well as his activism. A longtime member of Faith Presbyterian Church, Dunedin, he led the Cook’s Night Bible Study for more than 10 years, sharing his love of Bible literacy with all who were willing to bring an open mind and compassionate heart. He was a faithful and longtime volunteer for Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers of Upper Pinellas, logging many miles as he transported countless people to the grocery store, doctor’s visits and other errands. He was also honored with a certificate of appreciation for his work in the Pinellas Support Committee of the National Farm Worker Ministry.
Wally was a loving husband and beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather and uncle. He was a loyal friend and faithful servant of God. He will live in the hearts of those who knew him and be greatly missed.
A memorial service celebrating Wally’s life will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022, at Trinity Presbyterian Clearwater, 2001 Rainbow Dr., Clearwater, Florida.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the National Farm Worker Ministry, Churches for Middle East Peace, the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty, Empath Suncoast Hospice, or the charity of your choice.
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