Ralph Webster
- Ralph Edward Webster - age 91, date of birth March 14,1933, date of death March 23,2024, entered the gates of Heaven where his Savior, Jesus Christ, was waiting to welcome him into
His arms. Also, waiting on Ralph was his daughter,
Judy; parents, Ted and Ethel; and brothers, Paul and
Allen. Ralph served God and community in many different ways. Veteran of the Korean War. Manager of the ball team, “Grasshoppers” at Skaggston Community Ballfield. Member of Clear Springs Baptist in Mascot for many years where he served as deacon, trustee, Sunday School teacher & superintendent, choir member and R.A. leader. Most recently, Ralph was a member at Bashert Baptist in Blaine. He loved and encouraged the Pastors at both churches and had lots of good memories. The Webster family enjoyed singing and playing gospel songs. Father Ted played the banjo, Paul played guitar, Ralph played mandolin, and Allen was starting to play ukelele, but then switched to mandolin. They are all back together singing and praising God. Ralph, Paul and Allen Webster owned and operated Webster Brothers Construction for a number of years. Ralph’s father took him to work with his crew and placed a hammer in his hand at the age of seven. Paul bid on jobs, Ralph was in charge of the electrical work, while Allen handled the plumbing. They constructed numerous area churches and homes. Daddy wanted to be remembered as a “builder who loved making items out of wood.” He was a very gifted craftsman who enjoyed making things for his family and friends. He welcomed family and friends to his workshop to show what he could do with wood. Ralph was always willing to help others with what he knew - carpenter work or woodcrafts. He enjoyed making many things for his two daughters, his grandchildren, great grandchildren, other family members and friends. When Ralph saw Jewel playing the piano at Clear Springs Baptist Church in Mascot, the summer of 1954, he said to himself, “I’m going to marry that girl.” And he did on September 22, 1956 for a total of 67 years. On their honeymoon, he took Jewel to Washington, D.C. where they watched the Changing of the Guard at Arlington Cemetery and visited many buildings. Ralph had been there many times while serving in the US Army. Over the years Ralph had come to love many things including: camping and fishing with his family, playing gin rummy with his daughters, teaching his great grandson checkers, and working jigsaw puzzles. Saturdays and Sundays were spent watching baseball, basketball, and football, especially the TN Vols. Preceded in death by loving daughter, Judy Lynn Webster Vandergriff; parents, Theodore Roosevelt and Mary Ethel Neubert Webster; and brothers, Paul & Allen Webster. Left to cherish our memories: wife, Jewel Delores Boling Webster; daughter and son-in-law, Donna Sue Webster Flynn and Earl Flynn; son-in-law, John Wayne Vandergriff; grandchildren, Lydia Adams (Chris), Jessica Vandergriff and John Patrick (Emily) Vandergriff; great grandchildren, Keegan Edward (named after his great grandfather) and Jocelyn Lee Adams. Also, cousin, J.V. Webster whom he loved as a “brother”; sisters-in-law, Lela Lovell and Edith Rhea Webster; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He was an encourager, a mentor, a friend, and servant and a much loved man who shared the Gospel with many people that he came in contact with. He will be deeply missed. The family greatly appreciates the care he received from the staff at Covenant Hospice and First Light Home Care. The support and kindness we have received helped us through a difficult time and eased Daddy’s suffering. We, also, would like to thank Dr. Dean Mire and his office staff that met his physical needs for 38 years. Ralph was a member of Gideons International Knoxville East Camp, joining in January 10,1984. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be sent to the Gideons at PO BOX 6306, Knoxville, TN 37914 or Bashert Baptist, 928 Richland Rd, Blaine, TN 37709. The family will receive friends 12:00-2:00 PM on Saturday March 20,2024, at Bridges Funeral Home with the funeral service at 2:00 PM with Dr. Allen England and Pastor Darrall Walker officiating. The funeral service may be viewed securely online at the Bridges Funeral Home website. Immediately following the service, family and friends will go in procession to Eastview Memorial Gardens for the interment with his nephew, Joe Lovell, presiding. Full military honors will be provided by Volunteer State Honor Guard. Pallbearers: Greg Boling, Lawrence Hodge, Jerry Lovell, Greg Webster, Ondes Webster, and Todd Webster. Honorary pallbearers: all youth at Bashert Baptist, Keegan Adams, George Akans, Richard Dalton, Wayne Johnson, Delbert Morgan, Don Rose, JP Vandergriff, Charles Weaver, and Raymond Webster. Arrangements by Bridges Funeral Home, 5430 Rutledge Pike, 865-523-4999. www.bridgesfuneralhome.com