Mary Julia “Julie” Webb, has died at age 96. With husband Bob, she founded and sustained the Webb School of Knoxville. After Bob’s retirement in 1984, Julie became a “civic activist,” according to her obituary.

She pitched in with Dolly Parton to establish a base for funding Parton’s Imagination Library. Mrs. Webb co-founded the statewide Friends of Tennessee Libraries in 1992. She was also active locally with the League of Women Voters, Scenic Knoxville and Friends of the Library.

What I did not realize until reading her obituary, is that she was a leader from birth:

  • Eldest of five siblings
  • President of her sorority, Alpha Delta Pi
  • Torchbearer at the University of Tennessee.

Her father was Burgin Estel Dossett (1898-1993), another high achiever who had a distinguish career, capped by serving as president of East Tennessee State University from 1949-1968. Born in Campbell County, he received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee in 1922 and his master’s degree from Harvard University in 1924. He was a high school principal and then superintendent of schools in Campbell County. He was state commissioner of education. He died at age 96, as did his eldest daughter.

Julie sometimes said “cooking Bob’s breakfast” was her contribution to the Webb School of Knoxville. Those who knew the couple would disagree. During Mr. Webb’s 29-year tenure as headmaster and president, Julie was by his side. The obituary says, “in truth, Mrs. Webb supported and influenced the school in thousands of behind-the-scenes ways, forming half of a formidable team that never lost focus on the principles that set Webb School in motion.”

The Webbs had two daughters, Julia Webb Bland (Will) of New Orleans and Susie Webb Ries (the late Russell Ries) of Nashville; there were six grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

A graveside burial will be held on Friday, November 11, at 1 p.m. at Berry Highland Memorial Cemetery in Knoxville. A funeral service, which will be live-streamed, will follow at 2:30 at Sequoyah Hills Presbyterian Church. A visitation will follow at the church.