Kenneth Ogden Webb passed away peacefully after a lifetime of laughter, courage, and strength. He will be deeply missed by his beloved wife, Ruth. During their 67 years of marriage, they celebrated the lives of their six children and their spouses, 11 grandchildren, and several great grandchildren.
Born to Henry Edwin and Desyl Webb of Palmyra, VA, Ken and his late brother, Charles, persevered as farmers’ sons. A proud Flying Fluco (‘54), Ken pursued a civil engineering degree at Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University (‘58). While interning in Richmond, he rented a room in a private residence having found no room at the Y. He got more than he bargained for and ended up with a wife and many beloved in-laws.
After graduating from Virginia Tech, Ken and Ruth moved to Ripley, West Virginia. Ever the practical engineer, rather than staying in the great Commonwealth, he chose a job that offered a bit more pay and mountains with cooler summers. Affectionately (we hope) known as “The Bear,” Ken rose through the ranks of the WV Department of Highways serving as District Engineer in Districts 1 and 3 and culminating as Chief Maintenance Engineer. The Governor named him a Distinguished West Virginian in 1988 in recognition of his contributions to the state’s roadways, bridges, and for playing an integral part in finishing the last stretch of I-64. At his retirement, he was the youngest Construction Engineer hired in state history and was passionately involved with construction as work began on building the state’s interstate system, commencing at Fairplain. His work ethic, devotion to bettering his children, and firm belief in the value of education kept him at work even on the weekends, when he put his land surveying skills to use so he could support his children’s higher education pursuits.
After retiring, Ken eventually moved back to Palmyra where he continued surveying, became active in his church, Bethel Baptist, and served his community. Among his many pursuits, he helped lead the restoration of Fluvanna County’s Carysbrook Auditorium. He also lovingly helped care for his mother-in-law, Mary Ruth Walters, during her last years, only a partial repayment for the motherly love, beautiful daughter, and many servings of her delicious banana pudding that she bestowed upon him.
While his family and friends mourn Ken’s passing here on earth, we know what joy filled his heart as he was taken home. Well done His good and faithful servant. Rest well. Your adoring children, Diane, William (Bill), Cloe (Bobby), Tricia, Christy, and Kathy, really were listening to all your lessons and will carry on your good work from here.
All services were held Saturday, November 23, at Antioch Baptist Church, 4422 Antioch Rd., Scottsville, VA, and began with a viewing at noon, followed by a funeral and short graveside service that started at 1:00 P.M. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Bethel Baptist Church or Cunningham Methodist Church both of Palmyra or Antioch Baptist Cemetery.