Clara Jensen Webb

Clara Jensen Webb, 101, she beat the odds, not only by becoming a centenarian, but because as a very young child, she was often ill and not expected to live to adulthood. Raised in rural South Dakota by her grandmother following her mother’s death, she moved away after high school and was pressed into service as the caregiver for her twin nephews when their mother died in childbirth. A family member arranged a blind date which led to marriage to her lifelong mate, George, an Army man. They loved, laughed with, and teased each other until his death in 2005. She is survived by one sister, Donna Thomas of Cook, Washington, son Carl Webb of Beech Grove, IN, daughter Rachel Shaw (David) of Yorktown, VA, son Paul Webb (Karen) of Centerville, UT, five grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren, as well as many cherished nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by eleven siblings, with whom she always kept in touch, utilizing a “round robin” system of letter writing, with one family writing their news, adding to the envelope which was sent on to the next family, and so on. She was a prolific amateur artist who worked in pencil, pastels, acrylics, with the pencil drawings as her forte, especially those of houses. She found pleasure in ordinary days, her family and her kitties and often pointed out things in nature, such as cloud formations or the intricacies of flower petals. She enjoyed traveling and reveled in those experiences. Clara was a woman of great faith and love, who generously shared her time and talents. She was a member of Warwick Baptist Church, Newport News and former member of Cold Springs Community Church, Placerville, CA and First Baptist Church of Ames, Iowa. Memorial donations may be made to Virginia Baptist Homes Foundation, 3961 Stillman Parkway, Glen Allen, VA 23060-4149. The family is most grateful to the staff of the Chesapeake Retirement for their kind and respectful care. A celebration of life will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, January 13, 2018 in Providence United Methodist Church, Grafton, VA. At a later date and she will be laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery along with her beloved husband. Arrangements by Amory Funeral Home, Grafton, Va.