The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

Funeral services for Charles Emory "Spider" Webb will be 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 21, at First United Methodist Church in Orange. Officiating will be the Rev. Rob Fisher, former pastor of First United Methodist Church. Assisting will be the Rev. W.W. Smith of Pinehurst United Pentecostal Church. Graveside services will follow at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, at Jacks Cemetery in Pineland.Visitation will be from 5:00-8:00 p.m., Monday at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange.

Charles Emory (Spider) Webb, Jr., 86, was born in Beaumont, Texas on April 20, 1924, to Charles Emory Webb, Sr., and Hazel Beatrice (Hicks) Webb. A WWII Veteran, he received a purple heart after losing a leg in Germany at the age of 19. He sang in the choir at First United Methodist Church, where he and Edith met and married and belonged.

He graduated from Orange High in 1943 and after the war, he went to Sam Houston State College and Stephen F. Austin, where he received a masters degree. He played in college dance "Big Band" bands The Houstonians and The Buddy Ryland Band. All through his life he played in dance bands such as the Harry Vaughn Band and the Don Knapp Band, and he also played in community bands. Emory also had his own dance band in high school, known as The Spider Webbs. He was a retired band director of 33 years, starting his career in Joaquin, then starting the bands at Orangefield, West Orange, Orangefield again, Deweyville and West Sabine, until finally retiring from Orangefield.

Emory was known for his kindness and patience with everyone, especially beginning band students. He loved playing and teaching music. He loved spending time with his family, his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandbaby. He enjoyed traveling and camping, and belonging to R.V. clubs, such as The Fun Travelers. He also loved watching his grandsons and their friends play baseball, football and basketball from Little League to high school and through college, and watching his granddaughter in plays and choirs. He was always there for his family.

Everyone who knew or even met him, especially his ex-students, said that he was the sweetest person. He touched so many with his kindness, gentle nature, and sweet smile.

Preceded in death by his parents, Emory is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Edith Morgan Webb; son, Karl Webb of Orange; daughter and son-in-law, Anita and Dale Dugas of Bronson; grandsons, Aaron Dugas, Jerrod Dugas, and Joshua Webb; granddaughter and grandson-in-law, Candace (Dugas) and Adam Denison; great-grandson, Dausen Micah Denison; sister, Shirley Webb Singletary Hudson; and nephews, Rick Singletary and Bob Singletary.

The family would like to say a special thank you to the staffs of The Golden Years Assisted Living and Texas Home Health Hospice.