Tommye Jean Lancaster Webb

TOMMYE JEAN LANCASTER WEBB

TUPELO - Tommye Jean Lancaster Webb, 91, formerly of Selmer, TN, died peacefully Sunday, September 16, 2018, at Sanctuary Hospice House in Tupelo, MS. She was born April 21, 1927 in Selmer, TN, and was the only child of Jewell Dewey and Nola Mae Hester Lancaster. Tommye lived a full and fruitful life, being loved by all who met her on her life's journey. She and Bill lived their last 7 years at Traceway Retirement Community in Tupelo where she dearly loved everyone and that love was returned to her. Tommye and Bill celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary this year.

After graduating from Selmer High School in 1944, she attended the University of Tennessee at Martin, where she was a cheerleader, Class Favorite and was crowned Homecoming Queen. There she met the love of her life, Bill Webb, and they married on May 25, 1948. Together they attended Mississippi State University where Bill was awarded a football scholarship. Tommye graduated from MSU in 1950 with a degree in education and her teaching career lasted 42 years beginning in a one room schoolhouse at Rose Creek and ending at McNairy Central High School in Selmer.

Tommye not only loved the students she taught, going out of her way to help those in need, but she had an impact on many lives through her involvement in the First United Methodist Church and her children's many activities. Her home was always open and was the gathering place for many events.

Her involvement in numerous clubs and activities reflected her community and civic involvement. Tommye was active in the Stephen Foster Music Club, Selmer Book Club, United Daughters of the Confederacy, Gideon's Auxiliary, American Legion Auxiliary, McNairy County Retired Teachers, Meals on Wheels, and Jesus Cares Ministry. Tommye and Bill were named McNairy County Citizens of the Year in 2005.

Tommye's children and grandchildren would say that she was a Godly role model for them to follow. Many words could be chosen to characterize her, as she was kind, compassionate, generous, fun, playful, servant-hearted, hospitable and faithful. She will be deeply missed,

Survivors include her husband, Bill of Tupelo, MS; three daughters: Becky Peebles (Jack) of Mayfield, KY, Molly Meisenheimer (Ed) of Oxford, MS, and Amy McFerrin (Jack) of Tupelo, MS; six grandchildren: Drew Meisenheimer (Kate), Tyler Meisenheimer (Lindsey), John Blythe Peebles, Kendall Peebles Schoborg (Todd), Anna Grace McFerrin Phifer (Grant), and Maggie McFerrin; ten great grandchildren: Webb, Murphy, Mae, and Eli Meisenheimer, Miller, Aaron, and Bennett Meisenheimer, Beau and Dorothy Schoborg, Jewell Phifer, and a host of relatives and friends.

Tommye was preceded in death by her parents and two great grandchildren, Drew and Patrick Meisenheimer.

The family wishes to express their appreciation to Traceway Retirement Community, Sanctuary Hospice House and our wonderful sitters for their excellent care.

Visitation will be held from 3 p.m. until service celebrating Tommye's life at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 19, 2018, at First United Methodist Church in Selmer, TN, with Rev. Joy Weathersbee officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery in Selmer. There will a reception held at First United Methodist Church following the interment. Shackelford Funeral Directors is in charge of the arrangements.

Pallbearers are her sons-in-law: Jack Peebles, Ed Meisenheimer, Jack McFerrin and her three grandsons: Drew Meisenheimer, Tyler Meisenheimer and John Blythe Peebles.

Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, 1122 West Cherry Avenue, Selmer, TN 38375, Traceway Retirement Community, 2800 West Main Street, Tupelo, MS 38801, The Sanctuary Hospice House, P. O. Box 2177, Tupelo, MS 38803, or Cystic fibrosis Foundation, 1907 Dunbarton Drive, Suite C, Jackson, MS 39216.